Thomas Hudson (British, 1701-1779) and Studio Portrait of Sir John

oil on canvas, 127 x 102cm; framed 135 x 110cm, Sir John Willes (1685–1761) was one of the most prominent lawyers of the early Georgian period. Born in 1685 into an old Warwickshire family, Willes went to Oxford University to study law at the age of fourteen. By 1719, he had been appointed King’s Counsel, marking the beginning of a distinguished career that combined law and politics. In 1737, he was appointed Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, an office he held for 24 years until his death in 1761, making him one of the longest-serving holders of the position. Hudson painted Willes on several occasions, and another portrait of the sitter by Hudson, in the National Portrait Gallery, depicts him with his left hand resting on a book. Condition Report, Condition Report, Relined. Craquelure. Viewed under noral light conditins there is some retouching evident to the edges of the canvas, however in our opinion the work presents well overall when viewed on the wall. The vendor has advised that the picture has been recently restored. Viewed under UV light a little fine infilling shows to the nose, around the sitter's right eye, left cheek, and to the lips. There is further infilling to the hand and there are some small spots of retouching to the clothing, book and document. More extensive areas of infilling and overpainting show to the background and around the edges of the canvas. Please see additional condition images. Request A Condition Report, Request A Condition Report

Estimate:£2,000

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