Lot 261
  • 261

George Beare

Estimate
8,000 - 10,000 GBP
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Description

  • George Beare
  • Portrait of an officer of the 2nd Dragoon Guards
  • signed and dated, lower right: Geo: Beare pinx / 1744 -
  • oil on canvas

Provenance

Colonel Alexander Ridgway, Sheplegh Court, Devon;
his sale, London, Christie's, 14th January 1886, lot 92, (as G Beare 1755), bt. by Eno for 10 guineas;
Colonel Michael Alexander Wilsone Swinfen Broun (1858-1948), Swinfen Hall, Litchfield:
sale of his deceased estate, London, Christie's, 10th October 1948, lot 92, (bt. by the present owner for 20 guineas)

Literature

N. Surry, George Beare: Catalogue for the Pallant House Exhibition, Chichester 1989, p. 13 (illus., no. 5);
A. Cormack, 'Portrait of an Officer, c. 1747, by George Beare', Journal of the Society for Army Historical Research, Spring 1993, Vol. LXXI, no. 285, pp. 24-25 (illus.)

Condition

STRUCTURE The canvas has been lined. PAINT SURFACE The painting appears to be good condition. There is evidence of an old dirty discoloured varnish overall and a very fine craquelure concentrated in the right hand side of the sitter's face and shoulder. There appears to be a minor scratch in the lower edge of the upper left hand quarter, but otherwise no apparent damage or paint loss. ULTRAVIOLET Examination under ultraviolet light confirms the opacity of the varnish and shows some old and minor scattered retouching to the sitter's left hand and face. There is also evidence of strengthening to the impasto in the braiding of the right hand flap of his lapel. FRAME Held in a carved and gilded neoclassical frame. To speak to a specialist about this lot please contact Julian Gascoigne on +44 (0)207 293 5482, or at julian.gascoigne@sothebys.com, or Ludo Shaw Stewart on +44 (0)207 293 5816, or at ludovic.shawstewart@sothebys.com.
"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."