Porträt John Stanley (1713-1786)

Portrait of John Stanley. The English composer blinded at the age of two in the event of an accident, which is why he can be seen with his eyes closed as a frontal chest. His head is tilted to the side while sitting and playing on the keyboard instrument. He wears wig, a simple, open jacket and vest. The portrait is placed in a round fit. Above it appear three angels who seem to listen to his music. Underneath, a lion and a cheetah nestle against the shield with a four-line inscription. John Stanley learned his craft from Maurice Greene. He was an organist at All Hallows Church at the age of 12, later at Foundling Hospital in London and also at Renelagh Gardens. Stanley was friends with Händel and, after his death, performed oratorios with John Christopher Smith and later with Thomas Linley Händel. The steer of the leaf is unknown, there seems to be no template. The paper was published in the “European Magazine” in September 1784 as a frontispiece. Other copies of this paper are available at the Austrian National Library in Vienna, the National Portrait Gallery and the British Museum in London. Signature: European Magazine - Published Octr 1. 1784, by J. Sewell in Cornhill. Caption: John Stanley Esqr M.B. and Master of his Majesty 's Band of Musicians. (Stiftung Händel-Haus Halle Foundation)