Richard Parkes Bonington

John Lewis Brown (1829-1890)
By descent to Louise Lewis Brown
Jean Dieterle
By descent to Pierre Dieterle
His sale, Sotheby's London, November 21, 1985, lot 32
Richard L. Feigen, New York
Acquired from the above, 2007

Yale 2010, no. 23

To be included in Dr. Patrick Noon's forthcoming catalogue: Richard Parkes Bonington: The Complete Drawings

The sheet has been very carefully preserved and presented. It is not laid down but hinged to the present mount at two places at the upper sheet edge. There is some minor surface dirt overall and two areas of restoration to minor areas of paper damage to the lower left of the sheet and the lower centre sheet edge. For further information on this lot please contact either Mark Griffith-Jones (mark.griffithjones@sothebys.com - 0044207 293 5083), Emmeline Hallmark (emmeline.hallmark@sothebys.com - 0044207 293 5407) or Nancy Bialler (nancy.bialler@sothebys.com - 001 212 606 7222). To be included in Dr. Patrick Noon's forthcoming catalogue: Richard Parkes Bonington: The Complete Drawings
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.

This carefully observed still life illustrates Bonington's fascination with clothing and fashion which possibly derived from his parents' involvement in the textile industry. The combination of a sword, cape and plumed hat may refer to his increased interest in historical costume. For example, in 1826 Bonington made sketches of such costume in Venice during his tour of Italy. Furthermore, the historicist quality of the sword evokes the troubadour subject matter that was the hallmark of French Romanticism.

John Lewis Brown amassed one of the largest and most important collections of works on paper by Richard Parkes Bonington. He was described in an obituary as 'a zealot who would pay any price and travel any distance to secure a drawing...' (Patrick Noon, Richard Parkes Bonington, The Complete Paintings, 2009, p. 32)