£300 - £600
William Derby (British, 1786-1847)
James Scarlett, Esq., M.P
signed and dated 'W.Derby/Pinx/1826' (lower left) and inscribed 'J Scarlett Esq/MP' (on papers centre left); further inscribed with sitters name (on exhibition label attached to stretcher on the reverse)
oil on canvas
142.3 x 113cm (56 x 44 1/2in) overall frame size 174cm by 140 cm
Footnotes
Exhibited
Possibly London, Royal Academy, 1826, no. 169.
London, Victoria and Albert Museum, 1868.
James Scarlett, 1st Baron Abinger was a prominent English lawyer, politician, and judge. In 1835, the title Baron Abinger, of Abinger in the County of Surrey and of the City of Norwich, was created for Scarlett, who was the most successful lawyer at the bar from 1816 when he first joined the inner bar of court until 1834. Scarlett's successes also saw him become an Attorney General and Knight Bachelor, as well as latterly being appointed Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer in 1834, he presided in that court for more than nine years.
There is a lithograph in the National Galleries of Scotland of the same sitter which differs slightly in composition and may be after another version of this painting.
Condition Report:
The canvas has been lined and is buckled in the two
top corners and lower left corner.
Paint separation to the darker pigments, most notably
the black robes and brown book. Areas of fine
craquelure elsewhere.
Rubbing to the framed edges, most notably the top
edge.
A few minor surface scuffs and scratches and one very
small damage to the canvas just below the centre of the
upper edge.
The paint surface appears a little thin and rubber in the
upper left and there are a few small spots of historic
loss.
Light surface dirt.
UV light reveals retouching to the edges. Small
scattered spots of retouching to the background and a
small amount of infilling. Some retouching to the robe in
the lower centre and the outline of the right side of the
figure and hand. There is a thick reflective varnish layer
which may obscure some further reotuching. A small
amount of the retouching in the background has
discloured and is visible to the naked eye. Some losses to gilt frame
Fees apply to the hammer price:
Room and Absentee Bids:
25.20% inc VAT*
Online and Autobids:
28.8% inc VAT*
