Enoch Seeman (British, 1690-1744) Portrait of William Wollaston (1731-1797)

oil on canvas, 76.5 x 64cm; framed 99 x 85cm, By descent in the Wollaston family at Shenton Hall, Leicestershire (according to chalk on the reverse); acquired by the current owner. William Wollaston was the eldest son of the lawyer and Whig politician William Wollaston of Finborough Hall in Suffolk (1693-1757), in whose steps, as MP for Ipswich, the son would also follow later in his life. Alongside their pursuits in politics, the Wollastons were keen patrons of the arts, with William senior's greatest contribution being the commissioning of William Hogarth to produce a large group portrait of his family in 1730. This painting, which remained in the Wollaston family collection until recently, was acquired by the Leicester Museum & Art Gallery for the nation in 2019. William Wollaston the Younger, the sitter in this portrait, began his career in the military, rising to Colonel of the 2nd or East Suffolk Battalion in the Suffolk Militia. He continued his family's artistic interests, especially in his early and significant friendship with the nearby Suffolk artist Thomas Gainsborough (1727-1788). Gainsborough painted Wollaston's portrait in 1758 and 1759, both works now being part of the collections of the Ipswich Museums and the Holburne Museum respectively, whilst working in Ipswich just before his move to Bath. As both artist and patron were noted amateur musicians, it is likely that the inclusion of a flute in Wollaston's portrait at the museum in Ipswich is a reference to their mutual love of music. It is the connection above which had led to this portrait of the young William being identified as a work by Hogarth's own hand. Recent research, however, has overturned this attribution in favour of that of the Danzig-born Enoch Seeman, an immigrant artist who came to Britain in circa 1704 and was widely known for undercutting his English contemporaries. Preserved under a layer of old yellow varnish, examples such as this display Seeman's particular talent when it came to painting children. The work is offered in a fine carved and gilded frame, presumably its original, which appears to date towards the middle of the 18th century. Condition Report, Condition Report, Craquelure and stretcher marks. Rubbing to edges. A little spotting and mould to the surface. Some small spots of retouching are visible to the background. Not examined under UV light, for a full report please contact the department. Request A Condition Report, Request A Condition Report

Estimate:£6,000

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