William Elliott Elliott of Nottingham by John Inigo Wright

This well-painted portrait by the distinctive hand of John Inigo Wright depicts a self-assured gentleman named William Elliott Elliott smartly dressed in a frock-coat, white waistcoat and stock, his hair grey and receding.

The eldest son of William Stanford, a silk merchant, William Elliott was born around 1753. In 1788 he married a local vicar’s daughter, Frances (Fanny) Beaumont and in 1792 he (and his father) changed their surname to Elliott as stipulated in his great uncle’s will. His great uncle, also named William Elliott, had invented a new method for dyeing silk hoses. According to the Gentleman’s Magazine his great uncle Elliott accumulated a fortune of £100,000. Elliott Jun. spent his share of the money on purchasing and renovating Gedling House in Nottingham adding pleasure gardens and woodland walks to the estate. His wife also had a penchant for diamonds! A prominent figure in his community, Elliott was a Justice of the Peace and then High Sherriff for Nottingham. As William and Fanny did not have any children, Gedling House passed to William’s nephew upon his death in 1843.

In fine condition, the portrait is housed in its original gold frame that is glazed reverse to show a lock of blonde hair (most likely Fanny’s hair) secured with gold wire and seed pearls laid on foiled opalescent glass. It comes in a red leather travelling case (probably not original to it) with an accompanying note of the sitter’s details.

John Inigo Wright exhibited at the Royal Academy between 1795 and 1819; his miniatures are critically well acclaimed. He married twice and had a son by his first wife, Priscilla, (also a successful miniature painter) who likewise followed in the steps of his parents. The New Times (8 March 1820) reported Wright’s sudden death at his lodgings, 54 Old Bond Street –

“Saturday morning, about four o’clock, a noise was heard in the room where he slept; he was found in bed, but complained of having been restless all night. He did not get up; and at twelve o’clock he was found in his chamber, hanging by a cord from the tester of the bed. A surgeon was called in who attempted to bleed him, but without effect. Verdict: Lunacy”.

He was just 50 years of age so his death represented a tragic loss of talent.

Framed size: 90 x 76mm

Provenance; UK Private Collection

Ivory Exemption Ref.: N946UA81

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