Samuel Taunton as a Child

One of a pair of portraits depicting Thomas and Samuel Taunton of Axminster. Little is known about their father, except that the family lived at Purzebrook House in Musbury Road, Axminster. The Tauntons were originally from near Bridport and were wealthy merchants.

English 18th century portraits of children were commissioned principally by an upper or middle class clientele and often reflected the conventions of adult portraiture. Although by a provincial hand, this, and the portrait of Thomas Taunton, conform to the feigned oval bust length format employed by the most fashionable painters of the day.