[M] ARTHUR WILLIAM DEVIS (BRITISH, 1762-1822) Lord Viscount Nelson in Vice-Admiral’s undress uniform, wearing a cocked hat with his bespoke green eye shade

ARTHUR WILLIAM DEVIS (BRITISH, 1762-1822)

Lord Viscount Nelson in Vice-Admiral’s undress uniform, wearing a cocked hat with his bespoke green eye shade

Oil on canvas

14 x 12in. (35.5 x 30.5cm.) In original carved giltwood and gesso frame decorated with laurel leaves.

Christie’s London: British Pictures, 24 November 1998, lot 49.

Published: R. Walker, The Nelson Portraits, London, 1998, p. 264, no. 204.

Exhibited: Great Yarmouth Museum, Nelson, The Norfolk Hero, 1994.

This painting is one of several copies by Devis of his posthumous portrait of Nelson ‘In the dress he wore when he received his mortal wound’ taken from his sketches of the admiral’s body in Victory and originally published as the frontispiece to Dr. Beatty’s ‘Authentic Narrative of the Death of Lord Nelson’ (1807, see lot 7).

This example is framed in identical manner to the example belonging to Nelson’s former friend Admiral Benjamin Page (1765-1845) previously on loan at the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, and sold by Christie’s London in 2015 for £122,500, suggesting the same source.

Condition Report

Unlined; light craqueleur overall; possibly retouching to epaulettes and decorations, otherwise picture appears to be in good original condition; the frame is thought to be the original and has knocks to each of the corners.

We are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of this property. 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 Charles Miller Ltd 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.