Reverend Matthew William Peters, R.A.

Alexander Erskine Holmes (1808?-1878);
By descent to his daughter, Louisa (1843-1920), who married, in 1867,Garnet Joseph Wolseley, 1st Viscount Wolseley (1833-1913).

The painting appears to be in very good, country house condition, with no apparent extant damage or loss of paint. The canvas has been lined but the surface is in good condition, with strong impasto in the white highlights of the cravat and buttons, as well as the whip handle. There is an old discoloured, dirty varnish overall which gives the picture a yellow hue and makes it quite dark. Examination under ultraviolet light confirms the opacity of the varnish and reveals old retouching in the hair, as well as faint signs of old infilling to craquelure in the face. There are also scattered minor retouchings, predominantly in the background. The picture is held in a carved and gilded Carlo Maratta wooden frame. To speak to a specialist about this lot please contact Julian Gascoigne on +44 (0)207 293 5482.
"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."

An Irish barrister, renowned for as an impressive advocate, who was called to the bar in Dublin in 1795, the sitter was the brother-in-law of the Irish Nationalist Robert Emmet (1778-1803). A chalk drawing of Holmes by E. Hayes, taken in later life, is in the National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin.