Lot 108
  • 108

Francis Wheatley R.A.

Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 USD
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Description

  • Francis Wheatley R.A.
  • Portrait of A Country Squire, Said to be Stephen Sullivan of Ponsbourne Park
  • oil on canvas

Provenance

Marshall Field;
Charles Young;
With Knoedler Galleries, New York (inv. no. 19482);
Robert J. Turner, Locust Valley, New York;
Anonymous sale, New York, Sotheby's, 7 June 1984, lot 56, for $12,000, to Bernard Levy;
From whom acquired by the present owners.

Exhibited

Austin, Texas, The Archer M. Huntington Art Gallery, University of Texas, on loan from the Hascoe Collection, 1985-2008.

Literature

G.C. Williamson, English Conversation Pictures of the Eighteenth and Early Nineteenth Centuries, London 1931, p. 14 (as by Johann Zoffany, "Portrait of a Man"), illustrated, plate XXXVI;
Sir Ellis Waterhouse, The Dictionary of British 18th Century Painters in oils and crayons, Woodbridge, Suffolk 1981, p. 407, reproduced (identified as a potrait of Stephen Sullivan of Ponsbourne Park and dated to the later 1770's).

Condition

Old glue relining is firm and stable. the paint surface is very well preserved and there is lovely retention of detail and coloration, especially in figure. ultraviolet light reveals some small retouches to his chin and lower part of face and some small inpaints of craquelure on forehead and side of nose. small areas of retouching in sky at right, a few in trees at upper left and some small inpainting of craquelure in trees above his head. painting is presentable and can be hung as is. In a carved and gilt wood frame with minor nicks.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.