Richard Crosse

wearing a red uniform with blue facing and gold lace, gilt-metal frame

Lt. Col. R. Crosse-Upcott, his sale in these Rooms, 31 July 1961, lot 71;
Anonymous sale, Christie's London, 17 October 1995, lot 77

Vienna, Albertina, Meisterwerke der Europaischen Miniaturmalerei von 1750 bis 1850, 1965, no. 62

Schidlof 1964, vol. III, pl. 146, no. 272

Ivory ground. Gum arabic has been used extensively and in the shaded areas of his coat. This has crazed and begun to flake in very fine slithers. This problem extends to the dark area behind him. The face and sky and uneffected by this condition. The slightly blotting on his right sleeve, and in the area below it , is probably due to fading as there is no sign of the surface rubbing or water damage.
"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."

When this miniature was offered at auction in 1961, the sitter was identified, on the basis of family tradition, as a portrait of General Wren. The Army List from the period when this miniature was painted would suggest that the sitter is in fact Lieutenant-General Jordon Wren (d. 1783).

Seen here wearing a Colonel's uniform, Wren had first joined the Army in 1720. Primarily, he served with the 37^th Foot Regiment, commanding it as a Lieutenant-Colonel from 1759. In 1771 he was promoted to Colonel of the 41^st Foot Regiment. Six years later he was to become a Major-General and in 1779 he was elevated to the rank of Lieutenant-General.

We would like to thank Andrew Cormack for his help with cataloguing this lot.