Circle of Sir William Beechey RA., (1753-1839) - portrait of...

Hammer

£5,200

Circle of Sir William Beechey RA., (1753-1839) - portrait of the Duke of Cumberland in Light Dragoon uniform holding his shako and sword, extensively inscribed on various old labels and catalogue fragments, oil on panel, 34.5" x 24"; giltwood and gesso frame

** Provenance - Ex. collection Sir Wathen Arthur Waller Bt., Woodcote, Leek Wootton, Warwickshire also with the International Galleries 161, Strand, London WC2, the picture was with them on 28 June 1950 and was priced at £38.

** The picture bears an extract from the Christie's catalogue dated December 1947 listing it as a portrait of the Duke of Cumberland

** Also with the Parker Gallery 2, Albemarle Street, London, W1 label

More Information

The work is in fully restored state and appears to have areas of restoration in the foreground, lower left corner and further smaller areas of re-touching in the background colours as well as more minimal amounts in the costume, a blocking varnish appears to have been applied so we cannot really determine the restoration element, even with an ultraviolet lamp. There is also a small crack in the panel above the sitters head, very close to the edge of the frame.
The frame looks to be 19th century but has also been restored and partially re-gilded but in a dull antique gold colour, it bears a modern (1980s/90s) gold plaque with the name “Ernest Augustus, Duke of Cumberland : 1804 (King of Hanover, 1804-1851 by Sir William Beechey.
The panel has been split down the centre (top to bottom) so has therefore been filled and restored probably by The Parker Gallery of London back in the 1960s or 70s, the reverse bears their old label, they employed their own restoration staff, as did Frost & Reed of London & Bristol who have cleaned and conserved other works in this collection.