Prince Frederick, Duke of York & Albany, Circle of Sir Thomas Lawrence

19th century

Sold by Brave Fine Art

Description

An intriguing bust-length portrait of Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany, by an artist in the circle of Sir Thomas Lawrence (1769-1830).

A label on the reverse states that the portrait is by Sir Thomas and it's easy to see how someone has drawn that conclusion given that it features some of Lawrence’s characteristic nuances.

For example, if you compare the face with Lawrence’s portrait of Frederick John Robinson, several similarities are clear. These include the style of reflection in each eye, the shape of the mouth, the left eyebrow, and, to a certain extent, the looser/more expressive approach.

However, there are also several differences, and in some respects, the portrait could be deemed closer to the work of John Jackson (1778-1831). Jackson was an admirer of Lawrence and in around 1822, he produced a portrait of the Prince, which is somewhat similar in style and composition.

When you compare the two, note the right eye, the Prince’s stance, and also his collar. However, again, there are clear differences, so we can’t be certain but could this be an earlier study?

Without further investigation, we will never know, so at this stage we’re listing the work as by an artist that lived around the same time as Sir Thomas and was inspired by his approach and style.

The portrait is housed within a highly decorative swept frame with scroll and foliate decoration.

Medium: Oil on canvas

Size including frame: 19” x 16” / 47cm x 40cm x 3cm

Year of creation: c. 1820

Provenance: Private Collection, England

Condition: Overall good. Craquelure throughout but the paint layer is stable under varnish. Minor scuffing around the periphery. Canvas relined.

Physical Dimensions

Height

47cm (18.50")

Width

40cm (15.75")

Depth

3cm (1.18")

Declaration

Brave Fine Art has dated this piece to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA649159

Description

An intriguing bust-length portrait of Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany, by an artist in the circle of Sir Thomas Lawrence (1769-1830).

“

A label on the reverse states that the portrait is by Sir Thomas and it's easy to see how someone has drawn that conclusion given that it features some of Lawrence’s characteristic nuances.

Brave Fine Art

fig 1. Prince Frederick, Duke Of York & Albany, Circle Of Sir Thomas Lawrence — fig 1. Prince Frederick, Duke of York & Albany, Circle of Sir Thomas Lawrence

For example, if you compare the face with Lawrence’s portrait of Frederick John Robinson, several similarities are clear. These include the style of reflection in each eye, the shape of the mouth, the left eyebrow, and, to a certain extent, the looser/more expressive approach.

fig 2. Prince Frederick, Duke Of York & Albany, Circle Of Sir Thomas Lawrence — fig 2. Prince Frederick, Duke of York & Albany, Circle of Sir Thomas Lawrence

However, there are also several differences, and in some respects, the portrait could be deemed closer to the work of John Jackson (1778-1831). Jackson was an admirer of Lawrence and in around 1822, he produced a portrait of the Prince, which is somewhat similar in style and composition.

fig 3. Prince Frederick, Duke Of York & Albany, Circle Of Sir Thomas Lawrence — fig 3. Prince Frederick, Duke of York & Albany, Circle of Sir Thomas Lawrence

When you compare the two, note the right eye, the Prince’s stance, and also his collar. However, again, there are clear differences, so we can’t be certain but could this be an earlier study?

Without further investigation, we will never know, so at this stage we’re listing the work as by an artist that lived around the same time as Sir Thomas and was inspired by his approach and style.