The Radcliffe Family
- Thomas Hudson, English, 1701-1779
Thomas Hudson, The Radcliffe Family, About 1742. Oil paint on canvas; 104 1/4 × 162 1/8 in. (264.8 × 411.8 cm). Gift of the Berger Collection Educational Trust, 2019.7
This painting shows the family of Walter Radcliffe (1693-1752) and his wife Admonition. In 1741 they bought a splendid estate, Warleigh House near Plymouth, Devon, in southwest England. The Radcliffe Family, painted by Devon artist Thomas Hudson, was probably commissioned to celebrate the purchase. It is one of Hudson’s largest paintings and recalls in size and format the aristocratic family portraits of the previous century. But unlike the formality and decorum of those pictures, here the figures are represented informally, interacting affectionately, their closeness suggested by casual gestures.
Some images in our online collection are at thumbnail size, in accordance with AAMD guidelines, because they are protected by copyright. The Denver Art Museum respects the rights of artists or their representatives who retain the copyright to their work. Other images represent the best photography available and should be used as reference images only. Please complete the Image Rights Request form if you want to request a high resolution image.