Edward HAYTLEY
English active 1746-1761
The Brockman family at Beachborough: Temple pond with temple in the distance on left
c.1744-46
oil on canvas
52.7 x 65.0 cm
Everard Studley Miller Bequest 1963
1246-5b

By the middle of the eighteenth century, the tradition of the 'conversation piece' was well established and popular with the landed gentry of England. They show real people, usually those who commissioned the work, interacting with family and friends as they would in everyday life, literally in conversation. They pointedly reveal much about the social status of the sitters through the setting and costumes.

Haytley painted two different views of the Brockman family estate in Kent. They are idealised images with the grounds in perfect condition, and picturesquely placed animals and people enjoying the day in an atmosphere of serenity. The garden is lush and manicured, with rows of trees and an attractive man-made pond, which exemplifies the English attitude towards garden design, with people placing their stamp firmly on nature.

Allusions to antiquity are made with the classical-style temple and, interestingly, a letter in the British Library reveals that the folly had not been built when Haytley painted the estate.

The two views include members of the Brockman family, friends and neighbours, including possibly Susanna Highmore, daughter of the portrait painter Joseph Highmore. She is seen in this painting holding a fishing pole, standing next to the man dressed in black.

Very little is known about Haytley and very few of his paintings survive.