- 168
Thomas Beach, R.A.
Estimate
12,000 - 18,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- Thomas Beach, R.A.
- Portrait of John Newman (d. 1799), of Barwick Park, Yeovil; and a portrait of his wife, Grace Newman, née Hoskins
- the former indistinctly inscribed on the letter: ... / 1768
- a pair, both oil on canvas, in 18th century English carved and gilt Maratta frames
Provenance
By family descent from the sitter, through the marriage of his daughter Lucy to;
George Messiter (1776–1834);
By Messiter family descent until at least the 1970s;
With Arthur Ackermann and Son, New York, as Tilly Kettle;
Private collection, America, by 1987.
George Messiter (1776–1834);
By Messiter family descent until at least the 1970s;
With Arthur Ackermann and Son, New York, as Tilly Kettle;
Private collection, America, by 1987.
Literature
B. Jones, Follies & grottoes, London 1974, p. 227;
G. Headley and W Meulenkamp, Follies grottoes & garden buildings, London 1999, p. 455;
J. Bond, Somerset parks and gardens, a landscape history, Tiverton 1998, p. 95.
G. Headley and W Meulenkamp, Follies grottoes & garden buildings, London 1999, p. 455;
J. Bond, Somerset parks and gardens, a landscape history, Tiverton 1998, p. 95.
Condition
The canvases both have sound old relinings. The paint surfaces of both are reasonably well-preserved, and the varnishes only slightly uneven.
There is some restoration to details of the lady's dress, her hair and the shadows of her right arm, as well as to small areas of the face.
The portrait of the gentleman contains some retouchings in the face, hand, landscape and monument, and in his waistcoat.
In overall good condition. Both offered in English Maratta frames 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."
"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
The follies depicted in the backgrounds of these portraits still survive at Barwick Park (two miles South of Yeovil, in Somerset) today. Behind the figure of John Newman we can see the so called Jack the Treacle Eater folly. Local legend claims that it was erected to house a famous runner who lived inside the tower of the folly. This Jack is said to have ran messages to and from London trained on treacle alone. The portrait of Grace Newman depicts another of the follies in the estate, known as the Rose Tower or the Barwick Park Cone. This marvellous hollow stone structure, measuring around seventy five foot tall, has been described as unique in Britain, and seemingly serves no discernible purpose at all. We are grateful to Adam Busiakiewicz for his assistance in the cataloguing of this lot.