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Black John of Tetcott, James Northcote (1746-1831)
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Black John of Tetcott, James Northcote (1746-1831)
Oil on canvas, English School. In 1784 Northcote painted the portrait of John Arscott (1718-1788) of Tetcott, Devon, and it is probable that he painted this portrait of Black John of Tetcott at same the time. Black John was under four foot in height and suffered from kyphosis, known at the time this portrait was painted as hunchback. The descriptions of his life, spent in the service of John Arscott, record his success as a jester and his devotion to his master. It was common for servants lives to be overlooked and trivialised by the households they worked for and for their histories to be re-written, ensuring that they had no voice of their own. For example, it was noted that " his role as jester included swallowing and retrieving strings of live mice and mumbling sparrows, removing their feathers with his teeth while the sparrow was in his mouth. He died of grief shortly after his master." There is no history of Black Johns life (not even a record of his real name) that is not in relation to that of his master. James Northcote was born in Plymouth, the son of a watchmaker and optician. He was apprenticed to his fathers trade but showed a talent for art. In 1769 he left his fathers work and set up as a portrait painter. He was admitted as a pupil into the studio and house of Sir Joshua Reynolds in London as a pupil and assistant between 1771 and 1776. He came to consider himself an authority on his master and in 1813, after Reynolds death, he published his posthumous Memoirs of Sir Joshua Reynolds
Royal Cornwall Museum is the UK's Greatest Museum For Cornish Life & Culture
TRURI : 1946.95
Media ID 18848159
© RIC
Artist Beard Blue British Brown Clothes Countryside Green Grey Stick Tree Ripped Torn
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases the remarkable portrait of "Black John of Tetcott" by James Northcote, an esteemed English artist. Painted in 1784, this oil on canvas masterpiece depicts John Arscott's loyal servant, who was affectionately known as Black John due to his dark complexion. Standing at under four feet tall and afflicted with kyphosis, or hunchback, Black John's physical appearance did not define his extraordinary talents. In an era when servants were often disregarded and their stories silenced, this portrait sheds light on a life that would have otherwise been forgotten. As a jester in the service of John Arscott, Black John brought joy and laughter to those around him. His devotion to his master is evident through historical accounts that describe his incredible abilities as well as peculiar acts such as swallowing live mice and plucking feathers from sparrows using only his teeth. Tragically, Black John's story ends with heartbreak as he succumbed to grief shortly after the passing of his beloved master. It is disheartening that there exists no recorded history beyond his association with John Arscott; even his real name remains unknown. James Northcote himself had a fascinating journey from being apprenticed to a watchmaker and optician to becoming one of Sir Joshua Reynolds' most talented pupils. Considered an authority on Reynolds after the latter's death, Northcote published memoirs about him in 1813. Through this poignant portrait by James Northcote, we are reminded of the untold narratives hidden within our pasts – stories waiting for us to uncover them and give voice to those who were once overlooked or trivialized.
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