David Martin (1737-1797)
Portrait of Captain Charles Kerr of Buchtrigg and Calderbank (1753-1813), half length, wearing the uniform of the Royal Edinburgh Volunteers, his right arm resting on a ledge
Oil on canvas
75 x 60cm
Provenance: The Kerr family;
Sworders, 27 April 2010, Lot 661, where acquired by the vendor;
Wood Hall, Arkesden, Essex.
David Martin was born in Anstruther Easter, Fife; a portrait painter and engraver, he was taught by Allan Ramsay in London, and subsequently travelled with him to Rome. He established his own studio in Edinburgh in the 1770s and became the most important portrait painter in Scotland before Henry Raeburn. He was appointed portrait painter to HRH The Prince of Wales in Scotland. David Martin's sitters included members of the Scottish Enlightenment and other society figures. His portrait of Benjamin Franklin (1767) hangs in the White House, Washington DC, USA.
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Sold for £2,100
Condition Report
Oil on canvas which has been lined. The canvas is in plane with good tension. The paint layer is stable overall but has been slightly softened and flattened during the lining process. There is extensive retouching in the sitter's face which is a warmer pink than the original flesh paint. There is also retouching in the background. The varnish is even but dull and yellowed with a light layer of surface dust. The gilding on the frame is very worn with losses around the sides.
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Auction: Fine Interiors - Two Day Sale - Live Online, 22nd Jul, 2020
The summer edition of our Fine Interiors sale has plenty for anyone from the discerning collector to the interior enthusiast to get excited about. The two day sale includes a wonderful array of silver, including single owner collection of fruit knives , the principal contents of Wood Hall, Essex, and a fascinating selection of pieces which have been expertly refurbished, as featured on Salvage Hunters: The Restorers. As well as this, we have plenty more pieces of fine furniture, paintings and works of art to suit any decorative style or interior scheme.
VIEWING BY APPOINTMENT
Wednesday 15 – Monday 20 July, 9.30am-4.30pm, including Saturday and Sunday.
Viewing
VIEWING BY APPOINTMENT
Wednesday 15 – Monday 20 July, 9.30am-4.30pm, including Saturday and Sunday.
Removal of Lots
All lots should be removed by 5pm on Friday 31 July 2020. Furniture and carpet lots remaining after this date will be removed to: Perry Removals, Chapel End, Broxted, Essex CM6 2BW. Removal will be at a cost of £20 +VAT per lot and storage will be charged at £2 +VAT per lot, per day.
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