Join us as we reveal the fascinating stories behind Sir Joshua Reynolds' early portrait commissions at an evening of art and social history.

Join us for an evening presentation

Date: Fri Oct 9 2026

Time: 19:00

Location: Plympton St Maurice

Come to Plympton, birthplace of Sir Joshua Reynolds, discover the portraits and learn more about the people and their lives in the web of patronage which underscored the world of political power and artistic production in 18th century England.

To coincide with the exhibition (https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/devon/saltram/events/f983e9da-bc64-4141-941a-933f7fe8f48c) at National Trust Saltram, we are delighted to welcome Dr Katherine Gazzard to Plympton. Katherine will discuss the naval portraits of George Edgcumbe and Paul Henry Ourry, conservation work and highlight the remarkable findings of the research (https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/services/media/jerseys-story-at-saltram) undertaken to uncover the previously untold account of the enslaved child known as 'Jersey'.

Katherine will describe the background to the commission and explore the families who controlled the ancient borough of Plympton.

The individuals who were at the centre of events in Britain and abroad during a time of rapidly changing fortunes were brilliantly captured by Reynolds and other artists of the period.

The Portraits

The portraits of Edgcumbe and Ourry are exceptional examples of Reynolds’ early work. Commissioned as three-quarter length studies by the Corporation of Plympton, the paintings hung together in Mayoralty House in a room adjacent and connected to Plympton Guildhall.

A quarter of a century later, in 1773, Sir Joshua was elected Mayor of Plympton. To commemorate this occasion, Reynolds gifted a self portrait which was hung between the two early portraits.

The disenfranchisement of the Borough following the Reform Act of 1832 necessitated the removal of the portraits.

The portraits have been reunited for the first time in nearly two centuries and are on display in the magnificent Saloon at Saltram House until the end of October 2026.

Dr Katherine Gazzard

Katherine is Curator of Art at Royal Museums Greenwich.

Admiral Zachary Mudge

1770–1852

Mark Cardale will describe the life of Admiral Zachary Mudge.

Son of Dr John Mudge and grandson of the Rev Zachariah Mudge (vicar of St Andrews Plymouth from 1732-1769), Zachary was the godson of Admiral George Edgcumbe (the 1st Earl of Mount Edgcumbe). Through the Edgcumbe connection, Zachary entered the Navy at the age of eight as servant to Captain John Jervis (later Admiral of the Fleet, 1st Earl of St. Vincent).

Zachary later became first lieutenant to George Vancouver on the latter’s voyage of exploration and discovery in the North Pacific and west coast of North America. After surviving many adventures, he made a fortune in prize money in the West Indies during the period of British maritime supremacy. After retirement from active service, he settled in Plympton purchasing Sydney which became the Mudge family home for the next one hundred and fifty years.

Upper Chamber Plympton Guildhall

Explore the upper chamber in Plympton Guildhall Hall and view the portraits of former Mayors and officials from the Corporation of Plympton

English school early 18th century.

Images

Captain the Honourable George Edgcumbe by Sir Joshua Reynolds 1748-1749. Oil on canvas. Image courtesy of National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London.

Joshua Reynolds by Sir Joshua Reynolds 1773 (detail). Oil on canvas. Private Collection. Painted as a gift to the Corporation of Plympton on the artist’s election as Mayor of Plympton in 1773.

Lieutenant Paul Henry Ourry with 'Jersey' by Sir Joshua Reynolds 1748-1749 (detail). Oil on canvas. Image courtesy of National Trust, Saltram.

Augustus Keppel, Viscount Keppel by Sir Joshua Reynolds 1764-1765 (detail). Oil on canvas. Image courtesy of National Portrait Gallery, London. Reynolds was introduced to Keppel by the Edgcumbes and he painted seven portraits of Keppel between 1749 and 1785.

Description supplied by the event organiser.