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Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD

A Timeless Masterpiece Painting The Most Striking British Army Officer

£2,650.00

zzgl. Versandkosten

Add a touch of 19th century British military history to your home or office with this stunning oil painting portrait. Featuring a young Junior Infantry Officer adorned in a red coat uniform, this masterpiece truly makes a statement. The title label inscribed on the back adds a personal touch, reading "Conway Reeves: Best Looking Man in British Army" at the age of 19. Impress and inspire your clients and guests with this timeless piece.
Title inscribed label verso “Conway Reeves Died Aged 19 Best Looking Man In British Army”.
A rather nice display with the frame being 42 cm high and 37 cm wide.
Subject half length portrait front view of a young infantry British military junior officer commissioned rank of second lieutenant, he is looking directly at the viewer, wearing his traditional dashing smart regimental military red with brass buttoned tunic uniform with red sash and rank insignia on collar.
He has blue eyes, dark blonde hair with rosy cheeks with a solemn expression look. It is sad to know that he died at such a young age only 19, presumable in battle shortly after this portrait was painted.
It is a very old tradition in the British and by extension Empire/Commonwealth military that both officers along with sergeants would wear a red sash. The point if it was that it made officers and sergeants more distinctive during battle with the smoke & fog, it also acted as stretcher when wounded or in the case of officers as a shroud. Officers sash was made of silken netting that expanded but the sergeants was woven worsted and originally with a band of facing colour through the centre.
Unsigned, British School.
Oil on canvas.
Circa late 19th century.
Set in a traditional later gilt frame.
With hanging thread on the back ready for immediate home display.
A good easy to display in any home compact size being 42 cm high and 37 cm width of the frame.
Provenance labels verso by descent the sitter was the great Uncle of private seller located in Portsmouth, C.H.Campbell of Bembridge. High end Isle of Wight Auction, Exhibited at Famous Lord Hill Museum & in collection of Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD.
Condition report.
Offered in fine used condition.
The painting surface has various foxing staining & craquelure, paint fading & minor paint losses, also having had some restoration to the background area right of soldiers head, canvas has been relined along with being revarnished.
The frame having various general noticeable wear, some paint touch ups, scuffs, scratches, chips losses to the frame commensurate with usage & age.
International worldwide shipping is available.
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Dimensions in centimetres of the frame

High (42 cm)
Wide (37 cm)
Depth (3 cm)