It was listed by Roy Precious - Antiques & Fine Art. Sold pieces stay on Sellingantiques as a record of what has passed through, and the next one is rarely far away.
Roy Precious - Antiques & Fine Art has dated this piece to the 19th Century.
The charming small scale portrait has obviously led a very sheltered life; the canvas is still unlined, the frame undamaged and the paint surface is intact, it needed only a light clean after we bought it.
The sitter is Captain John Spring, wearing the uniform of the 63rd (West Suffolk) Regiment of Foot.
He exchanged or was transferred into the 63rd at some point between then and 1835, when he is listed as serving in the 9th Foot. He died in 1837.
Another portrait of this officer is in The Imperial War Museum collection.
WILLIAM SALTER (1804 – 1875) was an English portrait painter of the 19th century. His best known work was a painting of 83 people at a banquet in 1836 organised by the Duke of Wellington to celebrate victory at the Battle of Waterloo. The painting is called The Waterloo Banquet 1836 and today is at Apsley House. Salter was born in 1804 (baptised on 26 December 1804) and educated in Honiton, Devon. He was able to work in James Northcote's studios from 1822. Five years later he went on a Grand Tour to Italy. Unlike other grand tourers Salter took up employment as a professor at Florentine Academy of Fine Arts. Salter taught History Painting until 1833 when he returned to England.
His picture of Socrates before his Judges was painted whilst he was in Italy and is credited with his favourable reception in Florence and Padua.
In 1835, a new church was built in Honiton. Salter paid for and painted an altarpiece called Descent from the Cross for his hometown in 1838.
Salter was a lifelong member of the Florentine Academy and he painted a range of subjects, but he is primarily known for his banquet painting and the related portraits. He, and his patron Lady Burghersh, exhibited at the British Institution and he joined the Society of British Artists in 1846. Salter died at his home in West Kensington on 22 December 1875. He is buried at Kensal Green Cemetery, London.
SIZE:16.5x 14.75 inches framed.
PROVENANCE: Dorset Private Collection for at least 30 years.
Roy Precious - Antiques & Fine Art has dated this piece to the 19th Century.
Roy and nadine precious: specialists in portraiture from the 16th to the 20th century. Established in 1972.
You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Roy Precious - Antiques & Fine Art Profile Page
Portrait of Captain John Spring C.1835; Attributed to William Salter.
