- 196
John Russell R.A.
Estimate
300,000 - 500,000 USD
bidding is closed
Description
- John Russell R.A.
- Portrait of Mary Sheppard; Portrait of Thomas Sheppard: A Pair
- both full-length, seated in a landscape, she wearing a white dress with a blue-green sash and hat; he wearing a blue coat and yellow breeches with his spaniel
the former signed and dated lower right: JRussell R.A. Pinxt 1790;
the latter signed and dated lower right: J.Russell, R.A. Pinxt 1792. - both, oil on canvas
Provenance
By descent from the sitters to Mrs. Perkins, The Grove, Stonehouse, Gloucestershire;
Anonymous sale, London, Sotheby's, 30 November 2000, lot 12;
Anonymous sale (The Property of a Gentleman), London, Sotheby's, 6 June 2007, lot 57;
Where acquired by the present owner.
Anonymous sale, London, Sotheby's, 30 November 2000, lot 12;
Anonymous sale (The Property of a Gentleman), London, Sotheby's, 6 June 2007, lot 57;
Where acquired by the present owner.
Literature
G.C. Williamson, John Russell, R.A., London 1894, p. 158.
Condition
The following condition report has been provided by Simon Parkes of Simon Parkes Art Conservation, Inc. 502 East 74th St. New York, NY 212-734-3920, simonparkes@msn.com , an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's.
This pair of portraits has been recently lined and restored and should be hung as is. Both paintings are in beautiful condition.
The painting of Mary Sheppard has developed some cracking in her white dress which has been retouched and a few cracks in her face have also received some retouches. In the painting of her brother there are a handful of small losses in the upper sky which have also been retouched. Although the surfaces of the paintings are predictably slightly flat because of the English linings, the condition of both works is beautiful.
"This lot is offered for sale subject to Sotheby's Conditions of Business, which are available on request and printed in Sotheby's sale catalogues. The independent reports contained in this document are provided for prospective bidders' information only and without warranty by Sotheby's or the Seller."
"This lot is offered for sale subject to Sotheby's Conditions of Business, which are available on request and printed in Sotheby's sale catalogues. The independent reports contained in this document are provided for prospective bidders' information only and without warranty by Sotheby's or the Seller."
Catalogue Note
The darling children depicted here were the offspring of Edward Sheppard (1741-1808) and Elizabeth Harmer, the daughter of John Harmer of Stonehouse, Gloucestershire. The couple had married in 1777 and settled at Elizabeth's ancestral home at Stonehouse, where the family still lived until the twentieth century. Thomas grew up to marry his cousin Isabella, daughter of Henry Sheppard of Frome Sherwood, and had a son, Edward. When Isabella passed away, he married another cousin, Mary, daughter of John Sheppard, and had a son, John, and a daughter, Mary. Thomas's sister Mary, depicted here, married Richard-Wilsonne Sheppard and died in 1840, leaving behind a daughter.
When he executed these paintings, Russell was at the height of his career and was one of the most sought-after and fashionable artists in England. In fact, during the 1790s his half-length portraits were priced more expensively than those of Sir Joshua Reynolds, former president of the Royal Academy, who died in 1792. Russell also received a number of royal commissions. In 1789, the King was so pleased by Russell's portrait of the royal physician Dr. Willis that he commissioned a portrait of the Queen with the Prince of Wales and the infant Princess Charlotte on her knee. Russell became a favorite at Court, and in 1792 -- the same year he painted Thomas's portrait -- he was appointed Crayon Painter to the King and to the Prince of Wales.
When he executed these paintings, Russell was at the height of his career and was one of the most sought-after and fashionable artists in England. In fact, during the 1790s his half-length portraits were priced more expensively than those of Sir Joshua Reynolds, former president of the Royal Academy, who died in 1792. Russell also received a number of royal commissions. In 1789, the King was so pleased by Russell's portrait of the royal physician Dr. Willis that he commissioned a portrait of the Queen with the Prince of Wales and the infant Princess Charlotte on her knee. Russell became a favorite at Court, and in 1792 -- the same year he painted Thomas's portrait -- he was appointed Crayon Painter to the King and to the Prince of Wales.