Mr Oldham and his Guests
- Artist: Joseph Highmore
- Date: c.1735–45
- Medium: Oil paint on canvas
- Dimensions: support: 1055 x 1295 mm
- Museum: Tate Britain
- Collection record: Tate Britain website
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About this artwork
This is the “Mr Oldham and his Guests” by Joseph Highmore, painted c.1735‑45. It’s an informal conversation piece in oil on canvas, 41½ by 51 inches. Highmore was asked by Nathaniel Oldham, a wealthy hunter, to capture a dinner that Oldham missed because he returned from the hunt too late. He finds his friends already seated, pipes in hand, enjoying a bowl of hot wine. Oldham stands on the far left, arms folded over his chair, a tricorn hat still on his head, a hint of amusement on his face. The middle figure, a farmer, smokes a pipe while holding a glass of “negus.” Next to him, a local schoolmaster leans back with a blue‑and‑white bowl. In the center, wearing a red velvet cap, is Highmore himself, peering over his glass—an early self‑portrait within the group. The painting captures conviviality and friendship, reflecting Oldham’s love of hunting and art. Highmore’s skill shows in the realistic rendering of clothing, the warm light over the table, and the subtle gestures that bring each character to life. The work was acquired by the Tate in 1948 and remains a striking example of early eighteenth‑century English social portraiture.
See it in person
Mr Oldham and his Guests is in the collection of Tate Britain on Millbank, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
