.An eighteenth century consultation

The artistic influence

The painting was originally exhibited at the Society of Arts. It is painted in oil on canvass and measures 1.25x1.69m.The art historian, Evelyn Newby has likened its format to that of Caravaggio's Supper at Emmaus. The rising diagonal of the heads from right to left, the sharp profile of Dr Oliver and the arrangement of hands off centre all mirror Caravaggio's work. 
During Hoare's visit to Rome the Supper at Emmaus was hanging in the Villa Borghese where it was on view to visitors and artists
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