John Singleton Copley (American, 1738-1815)

Sketch of a British Officer

c. 1787-1801

Oil on canvas.

211/2 x 18 1/4 inches

Sketch of a British Officer

Unsigned, identified on fragmentary labels including the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and Doll and Richards, Boston, on the reverse, inscribed “by J. S. Copley . . . . Lord Lyndhurst sale Christie’s Room 864” on the reverse.

This painting is accompanied by a letter from Jules David Prown, at the Yale Art Gallery,  stating that the painting is John Singleton Copley.

This sketch is most similar to the large painting of Colonel William Fitch and His Sisters Sarah and Ann Fitch painted in 1800-1801. Now in the collection of the National Gallery in Washington D.C.

“ William Fitch (1756-1795), an American-born officer in the British army, prepares to depart on a magnificent steed. Since Colonel Fitch had been killed in action at Jamaica six years before this gigantic group portrait was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1801, Copley must have painted his late friend’s image from memory or from other likenesses. Fitch’s two sisters, dressed in mourning, reach poignantly toward their lost brother. The antique urn is a funerary emblem, and the fiery sunset is a reminder of time’s passage.”

Below is a link the the portrait in the National Gallery of Art:

http://www.nga.gov/collection/gallery/gg60b/gg60b-46008.html

After leaving America and settling in England in 1775, John Singleton Copley restarted his career, becoming a successful portrait painter in London and launching a career as an history painter.  His painting style became looser and he quickly mastered complex multi-figured compositions for his dramatic history scenes.

In correspondence discussing this portrait Dr. Jules Prown states, “The work is an oil sketch of a British officer, and may possibly be . . . . the work that was lot 58 in the Lyndhurst Sale (see my Copley book, vol. II, p. 402-”HEAD OF AN OFFICER-rolled (Anderson, 8.10.0; “a handsome young officer sketch,” Anderson).”  This lot was acquired by James Hughes Anderdon . . . . The Information on the back of the picture indicates that the picture was owned by ‘Dexter,’ probably F. Gordon Dexter (husband of Copley’s great granddaughter, Susan Greene Amory). . . . the painting was subsequently owned by Copley Amory. . . who inherited a number of works by Copley. . . . I do . . . . believe it was not intended as a study for the portrait of a single individual. 

It is squared for transfer to another canvas. . . . and may have been intended as part of a group portrait.  Although a direct association would require considerable further study, the sketch seems closest stylistically to the large COLONEL FITCH SAYING FAREWELL TO HIS SISTERS, THE MISSES FITCH, now at the National Gallery in Washington.”   A copy of the correspondence accompanies the lot.

Condition: (copy 1998 conservation report available) likely lined  in England in the 19th century after the 1864 Lyndhurst Sale), scattered retouch, (photos or restoration available), craquelure. Period frame adapted to fit painting. Likely cleaned, touched up, lined, and a new square English stretcher applied in the 1860’s. It is also likely that the painting was put under  glass  at this time. (it was removed during the 1998 conservation).

Provenance: 

The artist

His son John Singleton Copley, later  became Lord Lyndhurst

James Hughes Anderdon, Lord Lyndhurst sale Christie’s Room 864, lot 58, 1864.

F. Gordon Dexter (husband of Copley’s great granddaughter, Susan Greene Amory)

A private collection, New Mexico

Skinner, Inc., Sale 1746, November 22nd 1996. Lot number 74A.

Private Collection.

Canvas: 21 1/2” x 181/4”

Frame: 25 1/8” x 27 5/8”