Richard Phelps (1710-1785): A Portraitist of Somerset’s Gentry Richard Phelps was a singular figure in the artistic landscape of 18th-century England, primarily recognized for his meticulous portraiture and significant contributions to landscape design—particularly at Dunster Castle. Born around 1710, Phelps emerged from Porlock, Somerset, establishing himself as a respected artist whose career spanned decades and yielded an impressive body of work encompassing portraits, landscapes, and decorative commissions. His artistic journey began under the tutelage of Thomas Hudson and Sir Joshua Rey…