Early British & Irish Paintings

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Lot 24
  • 24

Philip Mercier

Estimate
10,000 - 15,000 GBP
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Description

  • Philip Mercier
  • Portrait of Major Richardson Pack (1682-1728)
  • inscribed l.l.; P. Mercier/ Pinxt. and later inscribed u.l.; Major Pack
  • oil on canvas, held in a British Rococo carved and gilded frame 
three-quarter length, standing, wearing armour with a red coat

Provenance

Anonymous sale, Christie's London, 24th March 1937, lot 150 (bt. by Evans for £25,4s) 

Literature

J. Ingamells and R. Raines, "A Catalogue of Paintings, Drawings and Etchings of Philip Mercier", Walpole Society, Vol. XLVI, 1976-1978, cat. no. 73, p.28

Condition

STRUCTURE The canvas has been lined. PAINT SURFACE The painting would appear to be in good condition and has been cleaned. There is one very minor scratch in the background to the upper right but otherwise there are no apparent signs of paint loss. ULTRAVIOLET Examination under ultraviolet light reveals a few, scattered, very minor retouchings. FRAME Held in a British Rococo carved and gilded 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."

Catalogue Note

A soldier and a poet, the sitter was the son of John Pack (1652-1723) and his wife Hannah (d.1713), daughter and co-heir of Robert Richardson of Tudhoe, County Durham. Educated at Merchant Taylors' School and St. John's College Oxford, he studied law at the Middle Temple and was called to the bar. Preferring the active life he resigned the profession to join the army, and by 1708 had command of a company of foot under Colonel Nicholas Lepel. He served during the Spanish War of Succession, and was with Marshal Stahrenberg at the battle of Villaviciosa in December 1710, at which time he was promoted to Major for conduct in the field. Pack also published both poetry and verse, including an ode in praise of George II, addressed to the new monarch through the Earl of Scarbrough. In December 1728 he died in Scotland, 'that country which was his aversion when living' (Pack, Memoir), in the service of Colonel Montague's 11th Regiment of Foot.