John Bostock

Sotheby's Parke-Bernet, New York, 12 May 1970, lot 298;
Christie's, London, 19 November 1970, lot 34;
Thomas Agnew & Sons, London, by whom sold to Malcolm Foster in January 1971;
Sotheby's Parke-Bernet, New York, 2 April 1975, lot 207;
Forbes Magazine Collection, New York;
Richard Green, c. 1978;
Sotheby's, Belgravia, 2 October 1979, lot 190;
Sotheby's, Belgravia, 1 April 1980, lot. 208 where bought by Lady Scott

London, Royal Academy, 1845, no. 408;
Minneapolis, University Gallery at the University of Minnesota, The Art and Mind of Victorian England, 1974, no. 2

Art Union, 1845, p 188

STRUCTURE The panel is sound and in stable condition. PAINT SURFACE Scattered craquelure and signs of minor paint seperation in places to the foliage in the background. A minor surface scratch (approx 1cm) to the lower left corner. ULTRAVIOLET UV light reveals spots of retouching to the face, some infilling to craquelure to the chest and further scattered spots throughout. FRAME Held in a simple gold painted frame with some wear.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Waverley, Walter Scott's first novel published in 1814, was set in the period of the Jacobite uprising. Edward Waverley, the romantic and impressionable son of an Hanoverian but with an uncle whose sympathies were Jacobite, was serving with his regiment in Scotland. In the course of a visit to the Baron of Bradwardine, a Jacobite friend of his uncle, he meets and falls in love with the gentle Rose, his host's daughter. With her encouragement he makes contact with other Jacobites, and is persuaded to join the cause. Compromised, he is imprisoned by his commanding officer. Rescued by the devoted Rose, he fights with the Jacobites at Prestonpans, where he saves the life of an English officer – an action which leads to him being pardoned.

John Bostock shows Rose Bradwardine as a fair-haired young woman, stylishly dressed in blue and with a miniature portrait – presumably of Edward Waverley – at her breast. Bostock, who was born in Staffordshire and seems to have operated from Manchester, painted figure subjects of this kind in the tradition of 'Keepsake Beauties', imaginary portraits of beautiful young woman, engraved and issued in magazines of the period, and which enjoyed a great vogue in the 1840s.