Benjamin Wilson

full length, wearing a maroon coat and breeches seated at a table before a window

John Rich;
George Richmond;
Anonymous sale, Scott & Fowler New York, 19th November 1926, lot 59;
David Geider's sale, Sotheby's New York, 30th May 1979, lot 170;
Anonymous sale, Christie's London, 20th July 1990, lot 322

STRUCTURE The canvas has been lined. PAINT SURFACE The painting appears to be in good condition with an even cracquelure throughout the canvas in keeping with age. ULTRAVIOLET Ultraviolet light reveals extensive infilling to the cracquelure. There are several areas of re-touching concentrated to the upper and lower right of the painting and also to the edges of the canvas where there has been some frame abrasion. FRAME Held in a carved and gilded Carlo Maratta style 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."

The sitter was born on 6^th October 1725, the son of the French Huguenot Daniel Chamier and his wife Suzanne de la Méjanelle. Born into the nexus of the French and Dutch financiers that made up an important part of the commercial life of eighteenth century England, he had made his fortune as a stockbroker and financier by the age of 35, becoming a trusted financial adviser to both the Bute and Newcastle governments. In 1753 he married Dorothy Wilson, co-heir to a wealthy London merchant, through whose family connections he entered government service early in the 1760s under the initial patronage of the 2^nd Viscount Barrington. In 1772 he rose to become Deputy Secretary of War, Undersecretary of State for the Southern Department in 1775 and M.P. for Tamworth in 1778. He is best remembered today, however, for his academic and literary associations. In 1764 he was among the founder members of The Literary Club along with, among others, Samuel Johnson and Sir Joshua Reynolds, both of whom were frequent visitors to his house at Epsom in Surrey.