The Revd John Wilson, the Painter's Father

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The Revd John Wilson, the Painter's Father
The Revd John Wilson, the Painter's Father
The Revd John Wilson, the Painter's Father
The National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth
title=Credit line
Artist
Richard Wilson (1713/14-1782)
Title
The Revd John Wilson, the Painter's Father
Date
c.1730 (undated)
Medium
Oil on canvas laid down on pinewood
Dimensions
Metric: 11.2 x 9.5 cm (oval, maximum dimensions sight-size)
Imperial: 4 3/8 x 3 3/4 in. (oval, maximum dimensions sight-size)
Accession Number
PE03545
Wilson Online Reference
P0
Provenance
Sir Francis Clerke, Bart; thence by descent; Christie's, London, 16 March 1984 (67); bt by the National Library of Wales
Signature/inscription
Unsigned; see Verso Inscriptions
Verso inscriptions
[1] On a paper adhered to the support, the following pen inscription in an old hand: 'The Revd John Wilson | Rector of Penegoes | Father of Richd Wilson | The celebrated Painter | By whom This likeness | was painted | from Memory
[2] Upper horizontal member of frame, left: PE3545
[3] Inverted sale black ink stamp bottom horizontal member of frame: EC694
Labels
[1] Museum label verso: CA/1 PE3545
Subject
The Revd John Wilson, father of the artist, was Rector of Penegoes, a small village near Machynlleth in Montgomeryshire, mid-Wales from December 1711 until his death in 1728. After that the family moved to Mold in Flintshire. It is likely that Wilson painted this portrait of him at about the time of his own move to London the following year.
Critical commentary
There is no reason to believe that this is not by Richard Wilson but it is impossible to tell from any stylistic viewpoint since it seems to have originated so early in Wilson's career.
Bibliography
WGC, p. 15; Baker and Jones 1996; Baker 1999
Condition/Conservation
In a contemporary rectangular gilt frame, cracked vertically, with oval window, unglazed. Dimensions framed: 19.5 x 17.2 cm. Kate Lowry has noted: The painting is fitted in its frame whose reverse is covered by a paper bearing a detailed description of the sitter and the artist. Good condition overall.