Thomas Hickey

Arthur Wolfe, 1st Viscount Kilwarden, Forenaghts, County Kildare;
by descent until c. 1920

STRUCTURE The canvas has been lined. PAINT SURFACE The painting appears to be in good condition. There has been some infilling to craqueleau in the lower centre of the canvas and there is a small area of paint loss to the uper left hand corner. ULTRAVIOLET Examination under ultraviolet light reaveals further small areas of minor retouching overall, particularly along the central stretcher support and in the lower right of the canvas. FRAME Held in a carved and gilded wood frame.
"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."

Arthur Wolfe was the son of John Wolfe of Forenaghts, County Kildare, and his wife Mary Philpot. Educated at Trinity College, Dublin, he became Freeman of the City of Dublin in 1761 and joined the Middle Temple in the same year, later practicing law in Dublin where he was created King's Counsel in 1778. In 1783 he entered politics as M.P. for Coleraine, a seat which he held until 1790. From 1790 until 1797 he represented Jamestown and from 1797 until 1798 he represented Dublin. His distinguished legal career led to his promotion to Solicitor-General in 1787 and Attorney-General in 1789.

Wolfe's chief duty was to defend the government's policy in the Commons, but he failed to win over the opposition. Despite this he was able to procure a peerage for his wife and the position of Chief Justice for himself. The 1790s saw increased unrest in Ireland and Wolfe's position was in favour of stern repression.  In 1798 he succeeded Clonwell as Chief Justice of the King's Bench and was created Baron Kilwarden of Newlands. He was an enthusiastic advocate of the proposed act of union with Great Britain and possibly as a reward was seated Viscount in 1800.

On 23^rd July 1803, on hearing of Emmet's uprising, Kilwarden left his house in Clondalkin and travelled to Dublin Castle. As he neared his destination his coach was stopped and he and his great nephew Richard Straubenzie Wolfe were dragged from the coach and hacked to death with pikes. His daughter Marianne managed to escape. Kilwarden's body was buried at Oughterard cemetery in County Kildare.

In January 1769 he married Anne, daughter of William Ruxton of Ardee House, County Louth. They had three sons and two daughters. Their eldest son John succeeded to the viscountcy.

This portrait probably dates from the marriage of the sitters in 1769. Hickey returned to Dublin in 1767 after a six year stay in Rome and remained there for three years before moving to London. During that period he exhibited at the Society of Artists. A portrait of the sitter by H.D Hamilton, dating from 1795, is in the National Gallery of Ireland.