Important British Paintings (1500-1850)

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Lot 55
  • 55

John Opie, R.A. 1761-1807

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Description

  • John Opie, R.A.
  • Portrait of Edward Penwarne
  • oil on canvas
Half length, wearing a blue coat and a white necktie

Provenance

Anne Penwarne, Mrs George Wellings, the sitter's daughter, and thence by descent to Mrs Penwarne-Wellings, by whom sold in these rooms, 24th March 1911, lot 74, bt. Blackstone for £26;
M. Leon Walker, sold Parke-Bernet, 24th April 1940, lot 90;
H.J. Halle, New York, sold from the C.T. Halle estate, 9th-13th October 1961, lot 1807, bt. J.D. Parker

Literature

J.J. Rogers, Opie and his Works, 1878, p. 143;
Ada Earland, John Opie and his Circle, 1911, p. 306

Catalogue Note

The Penwarnes were an old Cornish family living near Falmouth and were amongst Opie's earliest patrons. The sitter was one of Opie's closest friends and at his death in 1807, assumed charge of all the funeral arrangements.