George Romney 1734-1802

three-quarter length, seated at a table, wearing a mauve coat

Commissioned by Sarah Wells, and thence by descent to her son, the sitter;
thence by descent to the second cousin of his wife (who died in 1847);
Ralph Creyke of Rawcliffe Hall, and thence by family descent;
Anonymous sale, Christies London, 20th April 1990, lot 34. (bt. for £45,000)

York, Yorkshire Fine Art and Industrial Exhibition, 1879, no. 1096 (as by Reynolds)

STRUCTURE The canvas has been lined. PAINT SURFACE There are no apparent tears or damages. The work would appear to be in generally very good condition and is ready to hang. ULTRAVIOLET Examination under ultraviolet light reveals some re-touching to the edges of the canvas where a frame may have rubbed. There are scattered flecks of re-touching to the background, and to the sitter's face and costume. These are all minor and largely cosmetic. The work is not visible to the naked eye. FRAME Held in a carved wood frame.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Painted circa 1770 this delightful portrait of John Wells illustrates Romney's instinctive talent for capturing the innocence and guileless charm of children.  Romney always displayed a special understanding for children, and in a letter to his friend William Hayley he wrote "I begin to feel the necessity of having these innocent little spirits about me, they give me more soft delight to the mind than I can describe to soften the steps down declining life".  This portrait was probably painted before Romney travelled to Italy, and foreshadows the magnificent portrait of the Gower Family - Children of Granville, 2^nd Earl Gower, later Marquess of Stafford which was painted in 1786 (Abbot Hall Gallery, Kendal, Cumbria).

The sitter was the son of Sarah Wells, and Augustus Keppel, later Viscount Keppel, second son of William, 2nd Earl of Albemarle.  Wells joined the Navy and was a junior lieutenant on the sloop Raven in the West Indies.  He was captured by the French, but managed to escape. During the French Revolutionary wars he was Captain of the Wasp and in the final action between the British and the Dutch on 11th October 1797, the Battle of Camperdown, he was Captain of the 64-gun Lancaster. He was promoted to Commander in 1799, flag-rank in 1805, after which he did not see action again, Vice-Admiral in 1810, and Admiral in 1821. He was knighted in 1816. The sitter did marry, but there were no children, and the portrait passed to his wife's cousin, Ralph Creyke.

The writer in the Town and Country Magazine, September 1771, relating the Memoirs of Ad~l K~l, and Mrs W~lls noted that Mrs Wells was so 'distractedly fond of her boy, she had his picture painted by an eminent artist, which she hung over her chimney in her dining room. She fancied him an Adonis, (and) takes peculiar care to let everyone know who visits her ... that the sweet boy is her dear son'.  This may well be a reference to the present picture.