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(4) Benjamin Vandergucht
(b London, 1753; d Chiswick, London, 21 Sept 1794). Painter and picture dealer, son of (2) Gerard Vandergucht. Having studied at the St Martin’s Lane Academy, London, he was one of the first students to enter the new Royal Academy Schools in 1769 and won a silver medal there in 1774. He exhibited portraits at the Free Society (1767–70) and at the Royal Academy (1771–87), including a number of theatrical portraits such as Henry Woodward as Petruchio (exh. RA 1774; London, Garrick Club) and David Garrick as Steward of the Stratford Jubilee (1772, exh. RA 1776; Althorp House, Northants). He also painted theatrical conversation pieces such as Moody and Parsons in a Scene from ‘The Register Office’ by Joseph Reed (exh. RA 1773; Leicester, Mus. & A.G.; see fig.), which shows the influence of Johan Zoffany in its lively characterization and simple spatial construction. His adoption of this formula was possibly in self-conscious rivalry of Zoffany, who was in Italy at the time and unable to accept such commissions.
Part of the Vandergucht family
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