George Chinnery

By descent from the sitter in the family to R. H. Pearson;
By whom sold, London, Sotheby’s, 15 July 1987, lot 73, where acquired by Dr. Rau;
Bequeathed by Dr. Rau to the Foundation of the German Committee for UNICEF.

P. Conner, George Chinnery, Woodbridge 1993, p.110, reproduced plate 61, p. 109.

The painting is very slightly more yellow in tone than the catalogue illustration wyuld suggest. he canvas has been relined and the paint surface appears to be in fantastic condition with no apparent damage or loss of paint. There appears to be a discoloured varnish and surface dirt overall. Examination under ultraviolet confirms the presence of the mottled varnish and reveals very minor scattered retouchings to the background. The figure though is in good untouched condition apart from some very very minor cosmetic work flecks at this sleeves and cuffs. There is also retouching to what looks like an old area of damage lower right measuring approx. 1 in. in diameter. Offered in a gilt wood frame in good condition.
"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 the son of John Pearson (1771-1841), Advocate General of Bengal for the East India Company, and his wife Jane Elizabeth Matilda Hooke. Educated at Eton he sat to Chinnery in Calcutta at the age of eighteen, shortly after his arrival in India. On 14th March 1825 Pearson was commissioned as a Cornet in the 11th Light Dragoons and served with distinction at the siege of Bhurtpore under Lord Combermere. He later accompanied Lord Amherst as aide-de-camp on his mission to Rangit Singh, ruler of the Punjab and founder of the Sikh Empire, receiving a gold-inlaid sword from the Maharaja when he 'astonished and delighted the Sikhs by mounting and controlling an almost wild horse, which had never before allowed a rider to remain on its back'.¹

In 1831 he received a troop in the 16th Lancers and fought with that regiment under Sir Hugh Gough at the Battle of Maharajpore in 1843, where he led the charge against the Sikh army with his sword grasped between his teeth. At Aliwal, in January 1846, he commanded one of the squadrons that broke through the Sikh infantry and commanded the regiment through the latter part of the battle. He also commanded the regiment at Sobraon, in February that year, being twice mentioned in dispatches. Finally retiring from the Army with the honorary rank of General in 1877, he returned to England and devoted his time to breeding racehorses.  

1. The Times, Obituary, 3 May 1892, p. 10.