What characterises early 18th-century British portraiture?

Early 18th-century British portraiture, heavily influenced by Baroque aesthetics, typically depicts sitters in formal attire, wigs, and structured compositions. Artists often employed feigned ovals and dark, subdued backgrounds to place full visual focus on the sitters status and expression.

What materials were traditionally used in 18th-century portrait paintings?

Paintings from this period were created using oil-based pigments applied to hand-stretched linen or cotton canvas. Frames were typically crafted from hand-carved timber coated in gesso and finished with applied gold leaf.

How can you identify an authentic oil portrait from the Georgian era?

Authentic period works show age-appropriate craquelure across the paint surface, historic canvas stretchers or lining, and signs of hand-carved construction on the frame. The painting techniques and drapery details also align with historical textile cuts and wigs of the period.

How do you style an antique portrait in a contemporary interior?

An antique oil portrait serves as a strong focal point when hung above a mantelpiece, sideboard, or integrated into a eclectic gallery wall. Pairing traditional portraiture with modern furniture creates a visually rich contrast between classic fine art and contemporary design.

How should an antique oil painting be cared for and maintained?

Oil paintings should be kept away from direct sunlight, extreme humidity, and direct heat sources to prevent cracking or warping. Light dusting with a soft dry brush is recommended, while any deep cleaning or varnish removal should be handled by a professional art conservator.

for sale €34,515 $37,465

£29,500

Cheshire Antiques Consultant Ltd

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jan 2021

View Dealers Stock Page

About Us

Source the historic in 17th, 18th, 19th & 20th century fine arts, painting, sculptures & collectibles

Relevant Links

Red Coat Oil Painting

Gilt Framed Oil Portrait

Gold Framed Wall Portrait

Early 18th Century Artwork

Antique Gentleman Oil Painting

Id #SA1232140

PDF

SAVE

Early 18th Century Oil Portrait Sir James Campbell Scots Greys C.1720

Name: Early 18th Century Oil Portrait Sir James Campbell Scots Greys C.1720
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1232140
Price: 29500 GBP
Availability: InStock

18th century

For Sale by Cheshire Antiques Consultant Ltd

Description

Attributed William Aikman Portrait Sir James Campbell Scots Greys c1720

Important early Georgian Scottish military oil portrait attributed to William Aikman (1682–1731), depicting Sir James Campbell of Lawers and Rowallan, probably circa 1720.

Highlights

Attributed to William Aikman.

Sir James Campbell of Lawers and Rowallan.

Probably circa 1720.

Oil on canvas.

Colonel of the Scots Greys.

Later Lieutenant-General and Governor of Edinburgh Castle.

Knight of the Bath following Dettingen.

Historic William Aikman frame plaque.

Apparent “Wm Aikman” attribution verso.

Sloane Street Auctions, London, 3 July 2024, Lot 183.

National Galleries of Scotland holds an accepted Aikman portrait of the same sitter.

The Portrait

Campbell is shown half-length wearing a brilliant scarlet military coat over a richly decorated waistcoat and white neckcloth.

The sitter's career, costume and Aikman's documented Scottish practice support a probable circa-1720 date, although this remains an informed assessment rather than a documented execution year.

Aikman & Campbell

Aikman became one of Scotland's leading early-18th-century portrait painters.

Most significantly, the National Galleries of Scotland holds an accepted William Aikman portrait of Sir James Campbell himself, dated after 1711.

Aikman also received extensive patronage from the wider Campbell circle.

The present portrait retains an older frame plaque naming William Aikman and an apparent historic “Wm Aikman” attribution verso. Neither is represented as an autograph signature.

Sir James Campbell

Campbell became Colonel of the Scots Greys and later Governor of Edinburgh Castle and Lieutenant-General.

At Dettingen in 1743 his distinguished cavalry service was recognised by George II, who invested him with the Order of the Bath.

He was mortally wounded during the Fontenoy campaign in 1745.

Provenance

Earlier provenance presently unrecorded.

Sloane Street Auctions, London, The Old Master Sale, 3 July 2024, Lot 183, catalogued as Attributed to William Aikman, A portrait of Sir James Campbell.

Acquired from the above by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®.

Dimensions

Canvas approximately 76.2 × 64.8 cm.

Framed approximately 91.5 × 78.5 × 4.5 cm.

Condition

Historically relined. Age-related craquelure, surface variation and historic retouching. Later gilt frame with restoration, overpainting, rubbing, cracking and small losses.

Shipping

Worldwide shipping is available.

Owing to the substantial dimensions and weight of the framed portrait, it will be professionally packaged using appropriate protective materials and dispatched fully insured.

International buyers are welcome. Please contact us for a destination-specific delivery quotation.

Certificate of Sale & Dealer Attribution

The artwork will be supplied with a Certificate of Sale & Dealer Attribution issued by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®, recording the artwork’s catalogue details, attribution, provenance as stated, and details of the sale.

Attribution and Research

The historical observations, provenance research and attribution analysis represent the professional opinion of Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD® and should be understood as informed scholarly assessments rather than definitive guarantees.

Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®

Specialising in carefully curated British and European fine art, antiques and historic works of art.

Physical Dimensions

Height

91.5cm (36.02")

Width

78.5cm (30.91")

Depth

4.5cm (1.77")

Declaration

Cheshire Antiques Consultant Ltd has dated this 18th Century Oil Portrait to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1232140

Dealers Internal Reference

CAC-SK-0249

Dealers Notes

Delivery shipping information

Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD ship worldwide, using fully insured and online tracked delivery services like DHL, DPD, Parcelforce or Fedex also the British Shop. We offer Free national Delivery to England mainland, Wales mainland & Scottish lowland mainland areas only.

We offer Free UK mainland delivery only, international shipping to USA, Canada, Europe. All other countries rest of the world please get in touch for a shipping quote.

Great care and much time are taken over the safe transportation of the Fine Art & Antique pieces which we sell.

We bespoke pack & wrap extremely carefully, so you can rest assured that your piece will arrive with you in great as described condition.

For larger paintings, antique furniture pieces, and fragile items which can not be sent via the normal postal services, we use professional door-to-door delivery providers, who will always strive to deliver your piece promptly, within approximate. 2-5 working days for the United Kingdom mainland & International delivery between 5-14 working days.

Returns Policy

We offer a 14-day money-back refund policy

(excluding the cost of Postage & Packaging costs & any duties, taxes customs charges paid on buyers behalf or buy the buyer direct ).

CONTACT US:

Please feel free to call us.

We have a friendly & professional team on hand who are here to help you with any queries you may have.

Tel: 07494763382

Outside the UK:

Phone or text: 0044 7494763382

PAYMENT:

Our primary payment method is by (BACS) & International bank wire transfer, we can email you an invoice with our banking details upon request. We no longer accept any Online Card or in person card payments due to payment providers charging us and not returning the processing transaction fee even if an order is fraudulent, cancelled or returned. All Item(s) will need to be settled by bank transfer only. We will email you a proforma invoice with our bank details.

Customs Payment & Brexit

Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD operates on a Delivery Duty Unpaid (DDU) basis which means that the International buyer is responsible for any import duties, taxes & customs clearance charges and any other customs charges which may be necessary to release an order from international customs.

Following the UK leaving the EU on 1st January 2021 (BREXIT) there have been some changes to customs & duty charges for EU customers. Tax and import duty varies from country to country so we recommend you check with your local tax office to see if any fees will be payable.

If the customer refuses to pay any duty and customs charges and the parcel is returned to sender all shipping charges will be deducted from any refund.

Description

Attributed William Aikman Portrait Sir James Campbell Scots Greys c1720

“

Important early Georgian Scottish military oil portrait attributed to William Aikman (1682–1731), depicting Sir James Campbell of Lawers and Rowallan, probably circa 1720.

Cheshire Antiques Consultant Ltd

fig 1. An 18th-century oil portrait depicting a gentleman in a red military coat and long curly wig, presented in a carved gold-leaf frame. — fig 1. Early 18th Century Oil Portrait Sir James Campbell Scots Greys C.1720

Highlights

Attributed to William Aikman.

Sir James Campbell of Lawers and Rowallan.

Probably circa 1720.

Oil on canvas.

Colonel of the Scots Greys.

Later Lieutenant-General and Governor of Edinburgh Castle.

fig 2. An 18th-century oil portrait depicting a gentleman in a red military coat and long curly wig, presented in a carved gold-leaf frame. — fig 2. Early 18th Century Oil Portrait Sir James Campbell Scots Greys C.1720

Knight of the Bath following Dettingen.

Historic William Aikman frame plaque.

Apparent “Wm Aikman” attribution verso.

Sloane Street Auctions, London, 3 July 2024, Lot 183.

National Galleries of Scotland holds an accepted Aikman portrait of the same sitter.

fig 3. An 18th-century oil portrait depicting a gentleman in a red military coat and long curly wig, presented in a carved gold-leaf frame. — fig 3. Early 18th Century Oil Portrait Sir James Campbell Scots Greys C.1720

The Portrait

Campbell is shown half-length wearing a brilliant scarlet military coat over a richly decorated waistcoat and white neckcloth.

The sitter's career, costume and Aikman's documented Scottish practice support a probable circa-1720 date, although this remains an informed assessment rather than a documented execution year.

fig 4. An 18th-century oil portrait depicting a gentleman in a red military coat and long curly wig, presented in a carved gold-leaf frame. — fig 4. Early 18th Century Oil Portrait Sir James Campbell Scots Greys C.1720

Aikman & Campbell

Aikman became one of Scotland's leading early-18th-century portrait painters.

Most significantly, the National Galleries of Scotland holds an accepted William Aikman portrait of Sir James Campbell himself, dated after 1711.

fig 5. An 18th-century oil portrait depicting a gentleman in a red military coat and long curly wig, presented in a carved gold-leaf frame. — fig 5. Early 18th Century Oil Portrait Sir James Campbell Scots Greys C.1720

Aikman also received extensive patronage from the wider Campbell circle.

The present portrait retains an older frame plaque naming William Aikman and an apparent historic “Wm Aikman” attribution verso. Neither is represented as an autograph signature.

fig 6. An 18th-century oil portrait depicting a gentleman in a red military coat and long curly wig, presented in a carved gold-leaf frame. — fig 6. Early 18th Century Oil Portrait Sir James Campbell Scots Greys C.1720

Sir James Campbell

Campbell became Colonel of the Scots Greys and later Governor of Edinburgh Castle and Lieutenant-General.

At Dettingen in 1743 his distinguished cavalry service was recognised by George II, who invested him with the Order of the Bath.

fig 7. An 18th-century oil portrait depicting a gentleman in a red military coat and long curly wig, presented in a carved gold-leaf frame. — fig 7. Early 18th Century Oil Portrait Sir James Campbell Scots Greys C.1720

He was mortally wounded during the Fontenoy campaign in 1745.

Provenance

Earlier provenance presently unrecorded.

Sloane Street Auctions, London, The Old Master Sale, 3 July 2024, Lot 183, catalogued as Attributed to William Aikman, A portrait of Sir James Campbell.

fig 8. An 18th-century oil portrait depicting a gentleman in a red military coat and long curly wig, presented in a carved gold-leaf frame. — fig 8. Early 18th Century Oil Portrait Sir James Campbell Scots Greys C.1720

Acquired from the above by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®.

Dimensions

Canvas approximately 76.2 × 64.8 cm.

Framed approximately 91.5 × 78.5 × 4.5 cm.

Condition

Historically relined. Age-related craquelure, surface variation and historic retouching. Later gilt frame with restoration, overpainting, rubbing, cracking and small losses.

fig 9. An 18th-century oil portrait depicting a gentleman in a red military coat and long curly wig, presented in a carved gold-leaf frame. — fig 9. Early 18th Century Oil Portrait Sir James Campbell Scots Greys C.1720

Shipping

Worldwide shipping is available.

Owing to the substantial dimensions and weight of the framed portrait, it will be professionally packaged using appropriate protective materials and dispatched fully insured.

fig 10. An 18th-century oil portrait depicting a gentleman in a red military coat and long curly wig, presented in a carved gold-leaf frame. — fig 10. Early 18th Century Oil Portrait Sir James Campbell Scots Greys C.1720

International buyers are welcome. Please contact us for a destination-specific delivery quotation.

Certificate of Sale & Dealer Attribution

The artwork will be supplied with a Certificate of Sale & Dealer Attribution issued by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®, recording the artwork’s catalogue details, attribution, provenance as stated, and details of the sale.

fig 11. An 18th-century oil portrait depicting a gentleman in a red military coat and long curly wig, presented in a carved gold-leaf frame. — fig 11. Early 18th Century Oil Portrait Sir James Campbell Scots Greys C.1720

Attribution and Research

The historical observations, provenance research and attribution analysis represent the professional opinion of Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD® and should be understood as informed scholarly assessments rather than definitive guarantees.

Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®

Specialising in carefully curated British and European fine art, antiques and historic works of art.