John Wollaston

Anonymous Sale, London, Christie's, 11 May 1951, lot 134 (sold 16 gns. as Hudson);
Anonymous Sale, London, Christie's, 30 January 1987, lot 166 (Sold as Circle of Thomas Hudson)

STRUCTURE The canvas has been lined. PAINT SURFACE The painting appears to be in very good condition. There is a fine uneven craquelure overall particularly concentrated in the brown pigments of the sitter's jacket. There is evidence of a very faint demarcated stretcher bar line visible in the centre right but that apart there is no apparent damage or loss of paint. ULTRAVIOLET Examination under ultraviolet light reveals a thin uneven layer of varnish overall, evidence of an old minor horizontal repaired tear beside the topmost tip of the sitter's hat measuring approx. 2 cm., and some very minor scattered retouchings concentrated on the cuffs of the sitter's sleeves and to the area of his face obscured by shadow. FRAME Held in a gold painted wood frame. To speak to a specialist about this lot please contact Julian Gascoigne on +44 (0)207 293 5482, or at julian.gascoigne@sothebys.com, or Ludo Shaw Stewart on +44 (0)207 293 5816, or at ludovic.shawstewart@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."

Philip Saumarez was appointed third lieutenant on the Centurion in 1739, later captaining the Sandwich and the Nottingham. He died in 1747 trying to intercept the the Intrépide and Tonnant at the second battle of Cape Finisterre, whilst serving under Vice-Admiral Hawke. He is posthumously remembered for regularising naval uniform, as the standard 1748 issue design was a modified version of the dark blue uniform he had designed the year before.