20th Century French School

The School of Arms

Black chalk, white smudge and highlights, on paper Image size: 10 3/4 x 5 3/4 inches (27.25 x 14.5 cm) A half-length portrait of a young Duke wearing a long wig...

Provenance By descent through the sitter's family to The Collection of R. W. Vivian-Neal of Poundisford Park, Somerset, from whom acquired by With Lane Fine Art, UK, where purchased by the present owners in 1996 Literature 'Poundisford Park, Somerset' in Country Life, 22 December 1934, ill. A.W. and C.M. Vivian-Neal, Poundisford Park, Somerset: A catalogue of pictures and furniture, Taunton 1939, cat. nos. 11 and 13 This is a three-quarter-length portrait of Ralph William Grey in a mole-coloured velvet coat and a long waistcoat of green satin, heavily embroidered in gold. Under his left right hand is a black chapeau bras. He has white doe-skin gauntlet gloves. Son of William and Ann Grey of Backworth: born 19 December 1707. He married Mary the daughter of William Rawstorne of Newall in 1741 and died 5 November 1786. He was educated at Eaton and Trinity College, Oxford. Within a year of his birth Mrs Grey died and, according to the Country Life article 'From that time forward all Mr Grey's faculties were concentrated on the well-being of his son. The possession of an heir gave zest to his efforts to build up the family fortune: he was successful in most of his ventures. Years later his interest in life was centred in the home of his daughter-in-law and grandchildren'. Grey's right hand is depicted in the present portrait resting on Locke's Essays and the Country Life article also records that there are constant references to John Locke...

Après une formation à l’École des beaux-arts de Paris auprès de Jean-Léon Gérôme et Édouard Detaille, Gustave Bourgain se spécialise dans les marines ...

Attributed to Léon COGNIET Paris 1794 -1880 Portrait of Condottière Pen and brown ink 10,5 x 8cm 30 x 25cm framed Period frame