English School

Estimate

5,000 - 7,000 GBP

bidding is closed

Description

English School
A collection on five portraits, traditionally identified as members of the Coram family
four oil on copper, one oil on canvas, each held in turned wood frames
largest 9 by 7.1 cm.; 3 1/2 by 2 3/4 in.

including possibly; Portrait of Captain Thomas Coram (1668-1751), Portrait of his wife Eunice Coram, neé Wait, Portrait of his brother William Coram (b.1671), Portrait of a lady, possibly William's wife and Portrait of his neice Mary James, neé Coram

Provenance

Anonymous sale, Phillips London, The Connoisseur's Cabinet, 10 April 2001, lot 614

Condition

The miniatures have been well preserved. The Portrait of a lady, possibly Mary James, nee Coram, has some minor cracking to the painted surface. For further information on the lot, please contact Mark Griffith-Jones (0207 293 5083) or Emmeline Hallmark (0207 293 5407) mark.griffithjones@sothebys.com emmeline.hallmark@sothebys.com
"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

Thomas Coram was the eldest son of John Coram (b.1639) and his wife Spes (d. 1677) of Lyme Regis, Dorset. After a period in the Merchant Navy by 1693 Thomas had settled in Boston, Massachusetts. He enjoyed great success and went onto establish his own shipyard. In 1700 he married Eunice Wait (1677-1740) and he persuaded her to return with him to England in 1703.

Appalled by the sight of abandoned children on the streets of London, Coram embarked on a campaign to obtain a Royal Charter to establish a hospital 'for the maintenance and education of exposed and distressed young children'. This was achieved in 1739 and the Foundling Hospital became the first of its kind in Britain. He was painted by WIlliam Hogarth and this portrait remains in the Foundling Collection to this day. Thomas died in 1751 without issue.