Lot 1438
THOMAS FRYE (1710-1762)
PORTRAIT OF GEORGE HODGSON; and OF HIS WIFE, ELIZABETH (nee STAPLES) WITH THEIR DAUGHTER, ELIZABETH
He standing long half length, wearing a russet coat and brocaded green waistcoat; she seated long half length, wearing a satin dress with rosettes, a blue ribboned bodice and lace sleeves, the child at her right knee, the former signed T. Frye Pinxt/ 1758, oil on canvas, period carved giltwood frames
Each 125 x 100cm. (2)
* George Hodgson founded a family brewery at Bromley-by-Bow in 1752 and its rapid growth was to dominate the market in the lucrative export of beer to thirsty Britons working in the sweltering heat of India. The East India Company's London offices were but a few miles from the brewery and benefitted from Hodgson's amenable allowance of 18-month credit terms. This enabled the vessels to return to London with valuable treasures from Asia before having to settle Hodgson's invoice. The initial orders of porter (strong dark beer) did not travel well and so Hodgson tried a lighter brew, known as `barleywine` or `October beer` as it was brewed later in the season. 'Hodgson's India Ale', once thought incorrectly to be the very first IPA (`India Pale Ale`) became a familiar and popular brand, although a rival brewer was said to have disliked its 'thick and muddy appearance' and its 'rank bitter flavour`.
Provenance: By descent in the family of the sitters
