John Postle Heseltine (1843-1929) was one of the great connoisseurs of the late 19th century. He was also a painter, etcher of landscapes and major collector. In 50 years, he built an extraordinary collection of Old Master drawings including 70 Rembrandts, three portraits by Holbein, a major Durer, and drawings by Raphael, Michelangelo, Rubens, Van Dyck, Watteau and Boucher. He also owned the following drawings by Wilson, all now in the Courtauld Gallery, London:
D195 Classical Landscape with Figures
D196 Landscape with Figures
D197 Coast Landscape
Trained as a money broker, Heseltine was a member of the Arts Club, London from 1868 to 1892 and became a Trustee of the National Gallery from 1893. He lived at 196 Queen's Gate, designed by Norman Shaw, from 1877 to 1925 and at Eaton Square from 1925 until his death. Shaw also designed his country residence, Walhampton House, Hampshire. Much of his collection was sold at Sotheby's on 25 March 1920.
Collector's marks: Lugt 1507, 1508
