Two Brothers of the Best Family, perhaps William Mawdistly Best (1809–1869) and James John Best (1811–1844)

Image credit: Maidstone Museum & Bentlif Art Gallery

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Notes

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From the mid-18th century, it was fashionable to have portraits of young boys painted dressed for cricket. Portrait cricket convention was trousers or breeches worn with white stockings and black shoes, teamed with a waistcoat and contrasting tailcoat. In this portrait the older boy wears a high collar tied with a white cravat, like an adult, and the younger an open necked, frilled shirt usual for children.

Two brothers who are the closest fit to the costume dates are William Mawdistly Best (1809–1869) and his younger brother James John Best (1811–1844). They would therefore be aged about 10 and eight in the portrait.

Maidstone Museum & Bentlif Art Gallery

Maidstone

Title

Two Brothers of the Best Family, perhaps William Mawdistly Best (1809–1869) and James John Best (1811–1844)

Date

1808–1820

Medium

oil on canvas

Measurements

H 165 x W 115 cm

Accession number

65.1955a

Work type

Painting

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Normally on display at

Maidstone Museum & Bentlif Art Gallery

St Faith's Street, Maidstone, Kent ME14 1LH England

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