Upload your illustrated queries about a portrait’s attribution, sitter identity, condition or provenance, and take part in the online discussions.
Upload your illustrated queries about a portrait’s attribution, sitter identity, condition or provenance, and take part in the online discussions.
A member is looking for information on an eighteenth-century portraitist called Clifford (forenames unknown), who executed the adjoining painting. “Clifford appears to have been a travelling portrait painter who spent some time in Cornwall and resided for a while in Truro. This portrait (top left, and bottom) shows Francis Jenkins of Truro (1756- 1839). He […]
A network member is seeking assistance in identifying the sitters in this group portrait or the subject matter, and ideas as to artist. “I am researching a portrait which was originally thought to represent Samuel Foote with David Garrick and his wife Eva Maria Veigel, but this identification has now been disproved. There is […]
A query from a private collector, a member of the Understanding British Portraits professional network: This portrait of a young man wearing the Order of the Garter and another medallion showing a bronze portrait relief suspended from a blue ribbon has always been known anecdotally as a portrait of ‘Major Blachford’. However Blachford was not […]
The Grosvenor Museum has recently acquired three late 18th/early 19th century portraits of members of the Bayley family of Nantwich, Cheshire. They have just gone on display, following conservation. The sitters are reasonably well documented but the artists are unknown
Valence House Museum has submitted the following query: “This portrait has been given to us on loan for identification. Nothing is known about this portrait other than a suggestion that it may show Lady Ann Fanshawe (1625-1680). However, we do not believe this to be correct. Any suggestions regarding execution date and artist would […]
Valence House Museum has submitted the following query: “The attached portrait has been given to us on loan for identification. A handwritten note on the reverse suggests that it is of Elizabeth Fanshawe, née Cockayne (1609-1667/8) by Sir Peter Lely. In 1629 Elizabeth became the 2nd wife of Viscount Fanshawe. We would like to […]
Acquired by Valence House Museum in 1972, very little is known about these two portraits. The sitters are wearing mid-17th century clothing and the portraits seem to form a pair. The paintings have been removed from their stretchers and appear to have undergone conservation at some point, possibly following fire damage. Any suggestions as to […]
This portrait in an American private collection was purchased at auction with the following cataloguing: ‘Portrait of a Lady, possibly Mrs. William Wilson, neé Miss Caroline Fry (1787-1846), early 19th c., circle of Sir Thomas Lawrence, oil on canvas, unsigned, 36 in. x 29 in., in inner liner of original frame. The sitter depicted here […]
In 1970 this portrait was exhibited by the Sabin Galleries as the work of John Constable. The picture was acquired as such by the Art Gallery of New South Wales (acc no 29.1971), but the attribution was rejected by Renée Free in her 1987 catalogue. A plausible attribution has yet to be found. A date […]
This portrait is probably part of the collection of Sir Thomas Robinson Bt. (?1701-1778) at Rokeby Park, near Barnard Castle, Co.Durham. Robinson sold the estate, house and contents to John Sawrey Morritt in 1769. The painting has been on view to the public since 1986 but the identity of the sitter and artist remains elusive. […]
This work in a private collection is considered close to Lawrence, c.1815-20, but the artist and sitter are so far unidentified. The frame is believed to be French, c.1800-25; the label on the reverse is from the workshop of Samuel Coombe, 331 Strand, London. Ideas as to possible artists, or even sitter identity, are […]
This portrait is in the collection of Birmingham Museums Trust and has a problematic attribution. It was acquired in 1999 as by Romney, but we have never been able to confirm this and we are hoping to draw on the Understanding British Portrait network’s expertise to try and find out more about it. Our former […]
Mr Olivier Mertens of The Hague is seeking assistance in identifying the artist of this portrait of Samuel de Wilde (1748-1832). ‘The present painting, which is in very good condition, is painted (in oil) on a metal oval (height approximately 10 inches) and is neither signed nor dated. Nevertheless, the identity of the sitter is […]
This portrait is in the collection of the National Railway Museum. Thoughts on the artist’s identity would be appreciated – please use the ‘add a comment’ facility below. Details: Painting, oil on canvas Portrait of Sir Robert Turnbull, Chairman, London & North Western Railway in 1920. 1017 mm x 765 mm The painting was […]
This portrait is in the collection of the National Railway Museum. Thoughts on the artist’s identity would be appreciated – please use the comment facility below. Details: Painting, oil on canvas Portrait of the Earl of Yarborough, Chairman, Manchester, Sheffield & Lincolnshire Railway, 1847-1860. 1860. 892 mm x 557 mm Note in the accession […]
This portrait is in the collection of the National Railway Museum. Thoughts on the artist’s identity would be appreciated – please use the ‘add a comment’ facility below. Details: Painting, oil on canvas Portrait of Lord Auckland, Director (1863-1884) and Deputy Chairman, Manchester, Sheffield & Lincolnshire Railway (1884-1890). 766 x 636mm Lord Auckland was […]
This portrait is in the collection of the National Railway Museum. Thoughts on the artist’s identity would be appreciated – please use the ‘add a comment’ facility below. Details: Painting, oil on canvas Portrait of Francis Trevithick (1812-1877), Chief mechanical engineer, London & North Western Railway (LNWR), holding drawing of locomotive Cornwall. Unsigned. 1114mm […]
This portrait is in the collection of the National Railway Museum. Thoughts on the artist’s identity would be appreciated – please use the ‘add a comment’ facility below. Details: Painting, oil on canvas Portrait of George Stephenson (1781–1848) in old age, artist unknown. 891 mm x 690 mm Purchased from Holleyman and Treacher Ltd, Bristol, […]
A scholar in the US presents research into this early eighteenth-century artist know only as 'J. Cooper'. For several decades a number of 'folk art' style portraits, usually of courtiers, monarchs or allegorical have shown up in the United States, primarily New England.
A researcher in the US has submitted the attached images seeking help as the artist’s identity. He adds: ‘There are a considerable number of portraits extant from Albany from c. 1718 to 1745 by four limners, whose styles are not up to the quality of this portrait. Indeed I see no other colonial limner’s hand […]
Query submitted by Amelia Marriette, Exhibitions and Collections Curator at Torre Abbey, Torquay Here at Torre Abbey, we are currently undergoing a 4 million pound refurbishment – the second major structural refurbishment in 5 years. This time though, we have had the advantage of having a design company to hand and a limited budget […]
Thoughts regarding the possible identity of the sitter or artist of this UK Government Art Collection portrait would be appreciated. Please use the ‘add a comment’ facility below.
Thoughts regarding the possible sitter or artist of this portrait in the UK Government Art Collection would be appreciated. Please use the ‘add a comment’ facility below. Zoom in on this picture on the GAC website.
This portrait, formerly thought to depict Lady Emma Hamilton, is in the UK Government Art Collection. Any thoughts regarding the sitter’s identity and artist attribution is appreciated – please use the ‘add a comment’ facility below. Zoom in on this picture on the GAC website.
The UK Government Art Collection is soon to begin a project to investigate 16 paintings purchased for the collection from the British Museum, of which this is one. However, any thoughts regarding the sitter or artist would be appreciated. Please use the ‘add a comment’ facility below to share your responses.
A member is seeking the identity of this female portrait sitter by Thomas Phillips RA (1770-1845). She was formerly identified as ‘Lady Blessington’, but this is unverified. The costume has helped to date the painting to the early 1830s. Medium: oil on canvas Dimensions: 76.9 by 62.2 cm.; 30 1/4 by 24 1/2 in. Known […]
A network member is seeking assistance in identifying the sitters in this group portrait or the subject matter, and ideas as to artist. “I am researching a portrait which was originally thought to represent Samuel Foote with David Garrick and his wife Eva Maria Veigel, but this identification has now been disproved. There is […]
A query from a private collector, a member of the Understanding British Portraits professional network: This portrait of a young man wearing the Order of the Garter and another medallion showing a bronze portrait relief suspended from a blue ribbon has always been known anecdotally as a portrait of ‘Major Blachford’. However Blachford was not […]
The Grosvenor Museum has recently acquired three late 18th/early 19th century portraits of members of the Bayley family of Nantwich, Cheshire. They have just gone on display, following conservation. The sitters are reasonably well documented but the artists are unknown
Valence House Museum has submitted the following query: “This portrait has been given to us on loan for identification. Nothing is known about this portrait other than a suggestion that it may show Lady Ann Fanshawe (1625-1680). However, we do not believe this to be correct. Any suggestions regarding execution date and artist would […]
Valence House Museum has submitted the following query: “The attached portrait has been given to us on loan for identification. A handwritten note on the reverse suggests that it is of Elizabeth Fanshawe, née Cockayne (1609-1667/8) by Sir Peter Lely. In 1629 Elizabeth became the 2nd wife of Viscount Fanshawe. We would like to […]
Acquired by Valence House Museum in 1972, very little is known about these two portraits. The sitters are wearing mid-17th century clothing and the portraits seem to form a pair. The paintings have been removed from their stretchers and appear to have undergone conservation at some point, possibly following fire damage. Any suggestions as to […]
This portrait in an American private collection was purchased at auction with the following cataloguing: ‘Portrait of a Lady, possibly Mrs. William Wilson, neé Miss Caroline Fry (1787-1846), early 19th c., circle of Sir Thomas Lawrence, oil on canvas, unsigned, 36 in. x 29 in., in inner liner of original frame. The sitter depicted here […]
This portrait is probably part of the collection of Sir Thomas Robinson Bt. (?1701-1778) at Rokeby Park, near Barnard Castle, Co.Durham. Robinson sold the estate, house and contents to John Sawrey Morritt in 1769. The painting has been on view to the public since 1986 but the identity of the sitter and artist remains elusive. […]
This work in a private collection is considered close to Lawrence, c.1815-20, but the artist and sitter are so far unidentified. The frame is believed to be French, c.1800-25; the label on the reverse is from the workshop of Samuel Coombe, 331 Strand, London. Ideas as to possible artists, or even sitter identity, are […]
This portrait is in the collection of Birmingham Museums Trust and has a problematic attribution. It was acquired in 1999 as by Romney, but we have never been able to confirm this and we are hoping to draw on the Understanding British Portrait network’s expertise to try and find out more about it. Our former […]
This portrait is in the collection of the National Railway Museum. Thoughts on the artist’s identity would be appreciated – please use the ‘add a comment’ facility below. Details: Painting, oil on canvas Portrait of Sir Robert Turnbull, Chairman, London & North Western Railway in 1920. 1017 mm x 765 mm The painting was […]
This portrait is in the collection of the National Railway Museum. Thoughts on the artist’s identity would be appreciated – please use the comment facility below. Details: Painting, oil on canvas Portrait of the Earl of Yarborough, Chairman, Manchester, Sheffield & Lincolnshire Railway, 1847-1860. 1860. 892 mm x 557 mm Note in the accession […]
This portrait is in the collection of the National Railway Museum. Thoughts on the artist’s identity would be appreciated – please use the ‘add a comment’ facility below. Details: Painting, oil on canvas Portrait of Lord Auckland, Director (1863-1884) and Deputy Chairman, Manchester, Sheffield & Lincolnshire Railway (1884-1890). 766 x 636mm Lord Auckland was […]
This portrait is in the collection of the National Railway Museum. Thoughts on the artist’s identity would be appreciated – please use the ‘add a comment’ facility below. Details: Painting, oil on canvas Portrait of Francis Trevithick (1812-1877), Chief mechanical engineer, London & North Western Railway (LNWR), holding drawing of locomotive Cornwall. Unsigned. 1114mm […]
This portrait is in the collection of the National Railway Museum. Thoughts on the artist’s identity would be appreciated – please use the ‘add a comment’ facility below. Details: Painting, oil on canvas Portrait of George Stephenson (1781–1848) in old age, artist unknown. 891 mm x 690 mm Purchased from Holleyman and Treacher Ltd, Bristol, […]
Query submitted by Amelia Marriette, Exhibitions and Collections Curator at Torre Abbey, Torquay Here at Torre Abbey, we are currently undergoing a 4 million pound refurbishment – the second major structural refurbishment in 5 years. This time though, we have had the advantage of having a design company to hand and a limited budget […]
Thoughts regarding the possible identity of the sitter or artist of this UK Government Art Collection portrait would be appreciated. Please use the ‘add a comment’ facility below.
Thoughts regarding the possible sitter or artist of this portrait in the UK Government Art Collection would be appreciated. Please use the ‘add a comment’ facility below. Zoom in on this picture on the GAC website.
This portrait, formerly thought to depict Lady Emma Hamilton, is in the UK Government Art Collection. Any thoughts regarding the sitter’s identity and artist attribution is appreciated – please use the ‘add a comment’ facility below. Zoom in on this picture on the GAC website.
The UK Government Art Collection is soon to begin a project to investigate 16 paintings purchased for the collection from the British Museum, of which this is one. However, any thoughts regarding the sitter or artist would be appreciated. Please use the ‘add a comment’ facility below to share your responses.
A query from Valence House Museum: This portrait is described as Mrs Mary Linsdell (b.1805) and her daughter Annie (b.1841) and was donated in 1942 by Annie’s son-in-law. Annie was the fifth child and third daughter of Mary and her husband Thomas. The portrait is by John Robert Wildman – portrait, landscape, historical and […]
Art Detective aims to improve knowledge of the UK’s public art collection. It is a free-to-use online network that connects public art collections with members of the public and providers of specialist knowledge. Launched in March 2014, Art Detective comprises a digital network built on top of the Public Catalogue Foundation’s (PCF) existing art […]
Independent researcher Kimberly Chrisman-Campbell has posed the following query. “I’m looking for 18th-century portraits that have had their hairstyles repainted; frequently, the very large coiffures fashionable for women in the 1770s and 1780s were either added or effaced. Romney’s c. 1780s portrait of Mrs. Andrew Reid from the Kimbell Art Museum with a hairstyle […]
“I’m trying to decipher a detail in a Dom Pedro I (1798-1834) portrait, done by Brazilian artist Benedito Calixto, belonging to Museu Paulista Collection. I am familiar with the uses of gloves in traditional portraits, but I cannot find any precedent for this particular display of the gloves, put between the jacket’s buttons. The portrait […]
The following call for information from Deborah Smith, Thelma Hulbert Gallery Officer, Plymouth University/Kingston University: I am researching the life of the painter Thelma Hulbert (1913-1995), and I am attempting to trace a portrait painted by Elsie Few (wife of Claude Rodgers) titled ‘Thelma Painting at the Euston Road School’. The painting may be […]
A network member is seeking assistance in identifying the sitters in this group portrait or the subject matter, and ideas as to artist. “I am researching a portrait which was originally thought to represent Samuel Foote with David Garrick and his wife Eva Maria Veigel, but this identification has now been disproved. There is […]
A query from a private collector, a member of the Understanding British Portraits professional network: This portrait of a young man wearing the Order of the Garter and another medallion showing a bronze portrait relief suspended from a blue ribbon has always been known anecdotally as a portrait of ‘Major Blachford’. However Blachford was not […]
A query from Valence House Museum: This portrait is described as Mrs Mary Linsdell (b.1805) and her daughter Annie (b.1841) and was donated in 1942 by Annie’s son-in-law. Annie was the fifth child and third daughter of Mary and her husband Thomas. The portrait is by John Robert Wildman – portrait, landscape, historical and […]
The sitter in this Allan Ramsay portrait of 1741 may be a naval officer – can you assist the McLean Museum & Art Gallery in identifying his rank him ? Please register your comments on the Art Detective website here >>
Acquired by Valence House Museum in 1972, very little is known about these two portraits. The sitters are wearing mid-17th century clothing and the portraits seem to form a pair. The paintings have been removed from their stretchers and appear to have undergone conservation at some point, possibly following fire damage. Any suggestions as to […]
This work in a private collection is considered close to Lawrence, c.1815-20, but the artist and sitter are so far unidentified. The frame is believed to be French, c.1800-25; the label on the reverse is from the workshop of Samuel Coombe, 331 Strand, London. Ideas as to possible artists, or even sitter identity, are […]
The following call for information from Deborah Smith, Thelma Hulbert Gallery Officer, Plymouth University/Kingston University: I am researching the life of the painter Thelma Hulbert (1913-1995), and I am attempting to trace a portrait painted by Elsie Few (wife of Claude Rodgers) titled ‘Thelma Painting at the Euston Road School’. The painting may be […]
A researcher in the US has submitted the attached images seeking help as the artist’s identity. He adds: ‘There are a considerable number of portraits extant from Albany from c. 1718 to 1745 by four limners, whose styles are not up to the quality of this portrait. Indeed I see no other colonial limner’s hand […]
Query submitted by Amelia Marriette, Exhibitions and Collections Curator at Torre Abbey, Torquay Here at Torre Abbey, we are currently undergoing a 4 million pound refurbishment – the second major structural refurbishment in 5 years. This time though, we have had the advantage of having a design company to hand and a limited budget […]
Thoughts regarding the possible identity of the sitter or artist of this UK Government Art Collection portrait would be appreciated. Please use the ‘add a comment’ facility below.
Thoughts regarding the possible sitter or artist of this portrait in the UK Government Art Collection would be appreciated. Please use the ‘add a comment’ facility below. Zoom in on this picture on the GAC website.
This portrait, formerly thought to depict Lady Emma Hamilton, is in the UK Government Art Collection. Any thoughts regarding the sitter’s identity and artist attribution is appreciated – please use the ‘add a comment’ facility below. Zoom in on this picture on the GAC website.
The UK Government Art Collection is soon to begin a project to investigate 16 paintings purchased for the collection from the British Museum, of which this is one. However, any thoughts regarding the sitter or artist would be appreciated. Please use the ‘add a comment’ facility below to share your responses.
