George Beare (Flourished 1740-1749) – A portrait of Peg Woff...

Hammer

£4,500

George Beare (Flourished 1740-1749) – A portrait of Peg Woffington, seated in a silk gown with pink lace trim holding a bunch of flowers to an interior setting, half length, 18th Century, oil on canvas, framed, 74cm x 60cm, frame size 97cm x 85cm, also Janet Dunbar, 'Peg Woffington and her World' book, published in 1968 by Heinemann: London. (2) 

Provenance - Lane Fine Art, London.

NB - George Beare was a provincial portrait painter who worked mainly in the West Country. Little is known of his training, but presumably trained in London. Beare produce more than twenty signed paintings, all dated between 1744 and 1749. His style suggests a knowledge of Philip Mercier (1691-1760) and particularly of William Hogarth (1697-1764), whom he has often been mistaken for.

More Information

This work has been professionally conserved. The old varnish has been removed therefore slight degradation in the paint layer, particularly to the background. Sigmoid cracks across the canvas. The background drapery is visible but starting to blend into the background. Old lining thought to have been done in the last 40-50 years, shows staining verso.

Under UV light - The work hasn't had a complete clean mainly present in the background which fluoresces green indicating the presence of a natural resin varnish. Figure has had the varnish removed separately to the background with indication of synthetic varnish present.

Significant overpainting to a sympathetic level - noticeable to all the flesh areas. Dress has lots of reworking and overpainting together with hands.

Frame - Presented in a giltwood carved frame, thought to be original frame with the painting but cannot be confirmed. Significant woodworm holes, which do not appear to be active. Frame ahs been restored overtime - regilded reducing the level of relief in the carving. There are significant cracks to the mitered corners. General surface wear commensurate with age.