Charles Jervas was an Irish portrait painter, translator, and art collector of the early 18th century. Born in 1675 in County Offaly, Ireland, he studied in London under Sir Godfrey Kneller, one of the most prominent portrait painters in England at the time. Jervas is often remembered for his portraits of figures in high society, including several British monarchs. He was appreciated for his ability to portray his subjects with elegance and a sense of naturalism.
Jervas traveled to Paris and Rome to further his studies and was influenced by the works of the Old Masters. His time in Italy was particularly formative, allowing him to absorb the techniques and styles of Italian painting, which he later incorporated into his own work. After returning to London, Jervas took over Godfrey Kneller's role as the principal portraitist for the British royalty after Kneller's death in 1723.
In addition to his painting career, Charles Jervas was also known for his translation of Cervantes' 'Don Quixote,' which, despite its inaccuracies, was a popular translation in the 18th century. He was also a collector of artworks and had a significant collection by the time of his death in 1739. Jervas taught painting to several pupils, the most notable being the great Irish portrait painter Thomas Frye. The legacy of Charles Jervas is as a capable and influential portraitist who contributed to the dissemination of the Grand Manner in portrait painting during the early Georgian era in Britain.
