English School

The following condition report has been prepared by Hamish Dewar Ltd: UNCONDITIONAL AND WITHOUT PREJUDICE Structural Condition The canvas has been lined and is securely attached to a keyed wooden stretcher. This is providing an even and stable structural support. Paint surface The paint surface has a thick and relatively uneven varnish layer. There are scattered areas of very fine craquelure visible within the flesh tones of the two boxers, the faces of the surrounding figures, and the grey suit of the seated figure in the right part of the composition. These are stable and are not particularly visually distracting. Inspection under ultra-violet light shows the painting has been selectively cleaned in the past. A heavily discoloured varnish layer has been removed from the floorboards in the foreground and along the left vertical framing edge. Inspection under ultra-violet light also shows scattered retouchings, the most significant of which are: 1) fine lines of retouching covering craquelure within the two boxers, the dog, and the seated figure in the grey suit, 2) an area of retouching following the outline of the leftmost figure, 3) an area of retouching between the legs of the two boxers and some further spots and lines within the floorboards, and 4) a few small retouchings below the centre of the upper edge. Other small, scattered retouchings are also visible. Due to the thick and opaque nature of the varnish layers it is difficult to ascertain the extent of any previous restoration work. Summary The painting would therefore appear to be in fairly good and stable condition and would benefit from revarnishing.
"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."

Among the notable prize-fighting heroes depicted in this picture is Tom Cribb (1781-1848). Cribb became the British bare-knuckle champion in 1810 and in December that year, after 35 rounds, he beat the former slave Tom Molineaux in a fight at Shenington Hollow in Oxfordshire to become world champion.  In 1812 he retired to become a coal merchant and part-time boxing trainer and later ran the Union Arms public house on Panton Street near his home on Haymarket in the centre of London (now the Tom Cribb public house). The painting also depicts Jem Burns, another famous boxer, who named his dog Cribb in honour of Tom Cribb. The bulldog Cribb is also depicted in the picture and the two pugilists in the painting may be the dwarfs adopted by Burns.

The picture also contains the likeness of another famous boxer, ‘Bendigo’ (William Abedegno Thompson 1811-1880), thought by many to be the greatest fighter of his generation. His best-known fight was against Ben Caunt which a contemporary writer described as ’one of the most scandalous brawls in boxing history. Both men used every foul under the sun and invented a good many others’. Caunt and Bendigo developed a violent hatred of one another and after one subsequent fight Bendigo had to escape Caunt’s supporters on a stolen horse. On another occasion Bendigo shattered his knee when he somersaulted into the crowd after a fight and he was unable to fight for several years. After retiring aged 39 Bendigo secured a prestigious job teaching boxing to students at Oxford University but after the death of his mother his life spiralled into a drunken decline; he was arrested twenty-eight times for drunken behaviour. During one drunken night he discovered God and became a preacher and he died from a rather mundane fall down the stairs of his cottage aged 69.

Among the other notable fighters in the painting are Tom Maley, Jack Sheppard, Ben Burn, Jem Burn, Jack Sheppard and Jack Hannan. The spectators also include Sir Charles Watkin Wynn, the Marquis of Downshire, Earls of Longford and Caledon and the Marquis of Queensbury whose son revolutionised the rules of boxing.