William Bruce Ellis Ranken (British, 1881 - 1941), 'The Redc...

Hammer

£3,800

William Bruce Ellis Ranken (British, 1881 - 1941), 'The Redcoat', a young Lance Corporal in the Royal Horse Guards, (believed to be Harry Frankland), signed with monogram, and dated 1915, oil on canvas, with hand written label verso, 108.5 x 85cm, in later gilt frame



Notes: The painting was first shown at the 4th National Portrait Society Exhibition held at The Grosvenor Gallery, 51a New Bond Street, London in March and April 1915. It was subsequently reproduced on the front cover of the magazine 'Colour' in June 1915. The painting was further exhibited at The Royal Scottish Academy in the summer of 1916 (no. 164). The sitter appears to bear a strong resemblance to the figure in Ranken’s oil 'Trooper of Royal Horse Guards, in Walking-Out Dress' (National Army Museum collection) and a watercolour in the collection of Warrington Museum and Art Gallery, both of which were gifted by the Ranken family. In 1915, Ranken also exhibited a large oil of a portrait group entitled ‘Life Guards’, the central figure has the same head as Warrington Museum’s painting and a strong resemblance to 'The Redcoat’ sitter.



According to Ranken's papers, the painting was lost in the early 1920’s following an unauthorised sale of some of his works. Furthermore, there appears to be no auction records for 'The Redcoat'. This could be the first time the painting has appeared in the public domain in over 100 years.



Information courtesy of Wendy & Gordon Hawksley, for further details we recommend that you contact - www.williamranken.org.