Bernard Hailstone c1957 Oil Portrait – Frederick Leslie Wallis OBE, Mayor of Maidstone

Bernard Hailstone 1957 Oil Portrait – Traditionally Identified as Frederick Leslie Wallis OBE, Mayor of Maidstone

An Important Mid-Century British Civic Portrait in Full Mayoral Regalia

Highlights

• Bernard Hailstone (British, 1910–1987)

• Traditionally identified as Frederick Leslie Wallis OBE, JP (1896–1962)

• Mayor of the Municipal Borough of Maidstone, 1956–57

• 1957

• Oil on canvas

• Signed and dated lower right “B. HAILSTONE 57”

• Scarlet fur-trimmed civic robes

• Gold Maidstone mayoral chain and heraldic badge

• OBE, First World War and later service decorations

• Kent County Council Archives research correspondence retained with the painting

• Later light oak frame

• Framed approximately 85.1 × 72 × 4.5 cm

Introduction

An imposing and historically engaging British civic portrait by Bernard Hailstone (1910–1987), signed and dated 1957.

The sitter is traditionally identified as Frederick Leslie Wallis OBE, JP (1896–1962), Mayor of the Municipal Borough of Maidstone during the civic year 1956–57.

Wallis is shown seated in full ceremonial dress wearing richly coloured scarlet civic robes with broad fur trimming, the substantial gold mayoral chain and heraldic badge of Maidstone. His black ceremonial cocked hat, embellished with gold bullion ornament, rests across his lap.

The composition combines formal civic portraiture with a fascinating record of local, professional and military history.

Catalogue Details

Artist: Bernard Hailstone (British, 1910–1987)

Title: Portrait of Frederick Leslie Wallis OBE, JP, Mayor of Maidstone

Sitter: Traditionally identified as Frederick Leslie Wallis OBE, JP (1896–1962)

Office: Mayor of the Municipal Borough of Maidstone, 1956–57

Date: 1957

Medium: Oil on canvas

Signature: Signed and dated lower right “B. HAILSTONE 57”

Subject: Civic and mayoral portrait

Period: Mid-20th century / Post-War

Origin: British

Frame: Later light oak frame

Catalogue Note

The traditional identification of the sitter rests upon several converging pieces of evidence.

The painting is dated 1957, corresponding with Wallis's mayoralty, while the painted civic pendant reproduces the historic arms of Maidstone. Wallis's documented OBE and First World War service also correspond closely with the decoration group depicted.

Kent County Council Archives investigated the sitter in correspondence dated 6 October 2023 and proposed Frederick Leslie Wallis as the likely identification. Further research has reinforced that conclusion through contemporary biographical evidence and contemporary reporting which places Wallis as Mayor of Maidstone in 1957.

An original commission, municipal payment record or historic council inventory for this particular portrait has not presently been located. The sitter is therefore deliberately described as traditionally identified rather than definitively proven.

The Sitter

Frederick Leslie Wallis was born in Maidstone in 1896.

He entered the building trade as an apprentice carpenter before serving in France during the First World War. Returning in 1919, he rejoined G. E. Wallis & Sons Ltd and subsequently became a director of the family firm.

Wallis became a prominent figure within the British building industry while also undertaking substantial civic and public responsibilities.

He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 1947 Birthday Honours and later served as Mayor of Maidstone during 1956–57.

Contemporary evidence records Wallis launching an appeal during 1957 for the recasting and rehanging of the ten bells of All Saints’, Maidstone. The resulting tenor bell commemorated Leslie Wallis as Mayor in 1957.

The Civic Regalia and Decorations

Wallis wears scarlet civic robes with broad fur collar and fur-trimmed cuffs over formal black dress.

The substantial gold chain terminates in an armorial pendant displaying Maidstone's historic civic arms, providing important independent evidence for the office represented.

Across his lap rests a black ceremonial cocked hat decorated with gold bullion ornament.

The first decoration is the insignia of an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, or OBE, correcting the earlier MBE description associated with the painting.

The remaining group appears to include a First World War Star, British War Medal 1914–20, Victory Medal 1914–19, Defence Medal 1939–45 and Special Constabulary Long Service Medal.

A seventh Elizabeth II-era service medal is also represented. Its precise identity remains under research and is not stated categorically.

The Artist

Bernard Hailstone (1910–1987) was an important British portrait and war artist.

He trained at Goldsmiths’ College School of Art and the Royal Academy Schools. During the Second World War he served with the Auxiliary Fire Service and became associated with the Firemen Artists before undertaking official wartime commissions.

Hailstone later developed a substantial portrait practice encompassing political, military, royal, civic and other prominent sitters, including Sir Winston Churchill.

His work is represented in major British public collections including Imperial War Museums and Royal Museums Greenwich.

Provenance

Earlier provenance presently untraced.

Kent County Council Archives research correspondence dated 6 October 2023 retained with the painting.

Thereafter Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®.

No documentary evidence has yet been located establishing original municipal ownership or commission.

Dimensions

Framed:

Height approximately 85.1 cm / 33.50 inches

Width approximately 72 cm / 28.35 inches

Depth approximately 4.5 cm / 1.77 inches

Condition Report

Offered in good historic used condition consistent with a painting dating from 1957.

The painted surface displays age-related craquelure, with some areas more pronounced than others, together with minor peripheral wear and losses.

The later light oak frame exhibits general age and handling wear including rubbing, scuffs and minor localised losses.

Please study all photographs carefully as they form an integral part of the condition report.

Shipping

Worldwide shipping is available.

Owing to the substantial dimensions and weight of the framed portrait, it will be professionally packaged using appropriate protective materials and dispatched fully insured.

International buyers are welcome. Please contact us for a destination-specific delivery quotation or to discuss any particular shipping requirements.

Certificate of Sale & Dealer Attribution

The artwork will be supplied with a Certificate of Sale & Dealer Attribution issued by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®, recording the artwork’s catalogue details, attribution, provenance as stated, and details of the sale. This document accompanies the work as part of its ongoing ownership and provenance record.

Attribution and Research

The historical observations, provenance research, attribution analysis and contextual commentary presented within this catalogue entry represent the professional opinion of Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®. They are offered in good faith as informed scholarly assessments based upon the available evidence, comparative research, published reference material and our experience within the international fine art market.

These observations should be understood as professional opinions rather than definitive statements of fact or guarantees of authorship, attribution, date, origin, provenance or historical interpretation.

Future documentary discoveries, technical examination, conservation analysis or advances in academic research may refine, expand or revise current interpretations.

Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®

Specialising in carefully curated British and European fine art, antiques and historic works of art.

Every artwork is professionally researched and catalogued using comparative scholarship, published reference material and more than two decades of experience within the international fine art market.

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