Master Carew

In this painting Master Carew is probably around seven years old. Yet, until the mid-18th century, children were portrayed as miniature adults. There was no concept of childhood as a stage of life. The family’s wealth and status are evident in Master Carew’s fashionable dress. The choice of the artist Richard Cosway, one of the leading English portraitists of the Regency period, also indicates the family’s affluence.

The Carew family has a long ancestry. Attempts have been made to research which member of the Carew family is depicted but the painting provides few clues. A date of between 1785 and 1791 has been suggested and at this time Carew families were established in Pembrokeshire, Somerset, Cornwall and several locations in Devon.

It is unclear in what sense the painting’s title ‘Master’ has been used. It may simply be a form of address for boys and young men. Or it could be used in the legal sense referring to the heir apparent, or presumptive, to a title or peerage, a use more common in Scotland.

The association of the artist, Richard Cosway, with Tiverton may point towards a link with the Carews of Tiverton Castle.

In the late 15th century, Joan Courtenay, the daughter of Sir Hugh Courtenay, married Sir Nicholas Carew and brought with her an extensive estate including Haccombe, which later became the family’s principal seat. The Carew family’s connection with Tiverton continued in the 18th century when Sir Thomas Carew, married Dorothy, daughter and co-heir of Peter West of Tiverton Castle.

Their grandson was another Sir Thomas Carew of Haccombe (1755-1805). If the attributed date of the portrait is correct, he is unlikely to be the subject. His eldest son and heir, Henry (born 10 January 1779) is a more likely candidate. His other sons (Charles, Thomas and Francis) could be considered, depending on whether ‘Master’ is used in the legal sense.

Portrait research by Stephen Price for the ‘Eye to Eye Project’ in 2006.

Visual description: a full-body oil portrait of a seven year old boy. He is dressed formally, like an adult in grey breeches and white stockings red garters. A red decorative flower in the same shade adorns each shoe. His matching grey waistcoat is worn over a white shirt with a lace collar and a red cape drapes over his left shoulder. The boy is standing with his left leg in front. His elbow rests on the hilt of the sword hanging from his left side while his other arm rests at his side holding a hat.