Mather Brown

Possibly private collection, Sweden, 1970s (according to an inscription on the reverse);

Private collection.

D. Evans, Mather Brown, Early American Artist in England, Middletown 1982, p. 240, no. 240 (as unlocated).

This historical painting depicts the Anglo-Saxon King Alfred the Great (848/849–899) who played a pivotal role in the formation of the counties of England during the age of the Danish invasions and occupation. Mather Brown's rendition of this scene generally follows the historical and literary inspired canvases produced by artists such as James Northcote (1746–1831) for the Boydell Shakespeare Gallery at the turn of eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

This signed painting is probably the same mentioned in a letter sent from the artist to his aunts dated 22 August 1817.¹ The correspondence explains that the artist had just finished the work, alongside several other historical compositions including King John signing Magna Carta in the midst of his Barons and Coronation of Philippa, Edward 3rd's Queen.

¹ Massachusetts Historical Society, Mather Brown papers, 1777-1835, MS, P-161, 1 reel (microfilm) / Ms. N-1953.