134
Y JOHN SMART (BRITISH 1741-1811)
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Description
JOHN SMART (BRITISH 1741-1811)
PORTRAIT OF GENERAL KEITH MACALISTER, COLONEL OF THE 5TH MADRAS NATIVE CAVALRY
watercolour on ivory, the sitter with powdered grey hair, wearing a red jacket with white stand-up collar, silver chain epaulets and silver braid trim, over a white ruff shirt, signed with initials and dated 1791, in a gilt metal frame; the reverse with plaited hair under gilt metal initials ‘K.M’; in a fitted hardwood case with green velvet lining, and a hand-written note on the sitter describing the origin of his injured right eye.
7cm x 5.5cm
Private Scottish collection
This previously unrecorded portrait by John Smart (1742/3-1811) depicts Major-General Keith MacAlister (1746–1820) of the Madras Cavalry and was painted while Smart was working in India. John Smart was among the most distinguished portrait miniaturists active in Britain during the latter half of the eighteenth century. His work is characterized by a refined and meticulous technique, which offers a marked contrast to the vibrant and expressive style of his contemporary and rival, Richard Cosway. In 1755, both artists participated in a drawing competition for individuals under the age of fourteen, organized by the newly established Society of Arts. Cosway was awarded first prize, while Smart received second place. That same year, Smart commenced an apprenticeship under William Shipley. He went on to exhibit his miniature and portrait drawings with the Society of Artists from 1762 to 1783, and later at the Royal Academy between 1797 and 1811. From 1785 to 1795, Smart spent a highly productive and commercially successful decade working in India, and works from this period are particularly prized.Smart was given permission by the Court of Directors of the East India Company to go to India in 1785, so in the pursuit of fame and fortune, and accompanied by his daughter, he arrived in Madras in September that year, taking up residence in Fort St. George. He was patronised by personnel of the East India Company, prosperous merchants, government officials, and Indian courtiers and his skill soon brought him celebrity. Smart spent nearly all of his time in Madras with only short visits to Bombay and Bengal, and his work from this period provides a concentrated and specific view of society there. Upon his return to Britain in 1795 he quickly established himself with a successful studio in Mayfair and latterly, Fitzrovia, and continued to exhibit until his death in 1811.Major-General Keith MacAlister was the eldest of three soldier brothers who served with distinction in India. He was born at Skerrinish on the Isle of Skye, the son of Ranald MacAlister and Anne MacDonald. He ascended through the ranks rapidly following his appointment as cadet in 1777, becoming captain in 1796; lieutenant-colonel in 1799; colonel in 1809; and major-general in 1812. He is celebrated particularly for his role in the 1799 storming and capture of Seringapatam, a decisive battleground in the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War, and for rescuing his brother, Colonel Matthew Keith MacAlister, who had been imprisoned in the city for four years. Two other portrait miniatures by Smart of MacAlister are known to exist: a later portrait dated 1810 showing him in officer's uniform, [Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, Missouri]; and a sketch from the same period executed in watercolour and graphite depicting the sitter in civilian dress, [The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, Ohio]. The date of 1791 would place the present portrait prior to MacAlister's promotion to captain in 1796, and well before the two other known portraits, both completed nearly twenty years later.MacAlister is easily identified due to the distinctive milky colouring to his right eye, a consistent feature documented in the other known portraits of the sitter. Previous conjecture could only speculate on the cause, but rightly assumed it was a characteristic of MacAlister's physical attributes. The reason for the notable difference in eye colour can now be identified from the written note placed inside the miniature case. “His right eye was injured at a mess dinner through a crumb of bread flicked across the table by a brother officer. This caused a disease which has been so accurately depicted by the artist that it could be used as an illustration to any student of optics.”This rare and previously unknown portrait miniature has remained in private ownership with the same family, descended through marriage from the original owners. Please be aware that this lot contains material which may be subject to import/export restrictions, especially outside the EU, due to CITES regulations. Please note it is the buyer's sole responsibility to obtain any relevant export or import licence. For more information visit https://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla-en/imports-exports/cites/Sold in compliance with UK Government and APHA regulations, with (non-transferable) exemption registration reference LBPS1VLE
PORTRAIT OF GENERAL KEITH MACALISTER, COLONEL OF THE 5TH MADRAS NATIVE CAVALRY
watercolour on ivory, the sitter with powdered grey hair, wearing a red jacket with white stand-up collar, silver chain epaulets and silver braid trim, over a white ruff shirt, signed with initials and dated 1791, in a gilt metal frame; the reverse with plaited hair under gilt metal initials ‘K.M’; in a fitted hardwood case with green velvet lining, and a hand-written note on the sitter describing the origin of his injured right eye.
7cm x 5.5cm
Private Scottish collection
This previously unrecorded portrait by John Smart (1742/3-1811) depicts Major-General Keith MacAlister (1746–1820) of the Madras Cavalry and was painted while Smart was working in India. John Smart was among the most distinguished portrait miniaturists active in Britain during the latter half of the eighteenth century. His work is characterized by a refined and meticulous technique, which offers a marked contrast to the vibrant and expressive style of his contemporary and rival, Richard Cosway. In 1755, both artists participated in a drawing competition for individuals under the age of fourteen, organized by the newly established Society of Arts. Cosway was awarded first prize, while Smart received second place. That same year, Smart commenced an apprenticeship under William Shipley. He went on to exhibit his miniature and portrait drawings with the Society of Artists from 1762 to 1783, and later at the Royal Academy between 1797 and 1811. From 1785 to 1795, Smart spent a highly productive and commercially successful decade working in India, and works from this period are particularly prized.Smart was given permission by the Court of Directors of the East India Company to go to India in 1785, so in the pursuit of fame and fortune, and accompanied by his daughter, he arrived in Madras in September that year, taking up residence in Fort St. George. He was patronised by personnel of the East India Company, prosperous merchants, government officials, and Indian courtiers and his skill soon brought him celebrity. Smart spent nearly all of his time in Madras with only short visits to Bombay and Bengal, and his work from this period provides a concentrated and specific view of society there. Upon his return to Britain in 1795 he quickly established himself with a successful studio in Mayfair and latterly, Fitzrovia, and continued to exhibit until his death in 1811.Major-General Keith MacAlister was the eldest of three soldier brothers who served with distinction in India. He was born at Skerrinish on the Isle of Skye, the son of Ranald MacAlister and Anne MacDonald. He ascended through the ranks rapidly following his appointment as cadet in 1777, becoming captain in 1796; lieutenant-colonel in 1799; colonel in 1809; and major-general in 1812. He is celebrated particularly for his role in the 1799 storming and capture of Seringapatam, a decisive battleground in the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War, and for rescuing his brother, Colonel Matthew Keith MacAlister, who had been imprisoned in the city for four years. Two other portrait miniatures by Smart of MacAlister are known to exist: a later portrait dated 1810 showing him in officer's uniform, [Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, Missouri]; and a sketch from the same period executed in watercolour and graphite depicting the sitter in civilian dress, [The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, Ohio]. The date of 1791 would place the present portrait prior to MacAlister's promotion to captain in 1796, and well before the two other known portraits, both completed nearly twenty years later.MacAlister is easily identified due to the distinctive milky colouring to his right eye, a consistent feature documented in the other known portraits of the sitter. Previous conjecture could only speculate on the cause, but rightly assumed it was a characteristic of MacAlister's physical attributes. The reason for the notable difference in eye colour can now be identified from the written note placed inside the miniature case. “His right eye was injured at a mess dinner through a crumb of bread flicked across the table by a brother officer. This caused a disease which has been so accurately depicted by the artist that it could be used as an illustration to any student of optics.”This rare and previously unknown portrait miniature has remained in private ownership with the same family, descended through marriage from the original owners. Please be aware that this lot contains material which may be subject to import/export restrictions, especially outside the EU, due to CITES regulations. Please note it is the buyer's sole responsibility to obtain any relevant export or import licence. For more information visit https://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla-en/imports-exports/cites/Sold in compliance with UK Government and APHA regulations, with (non-transferable) exemption registration reference LBPS1VLE
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JOHN SMART (BRITISH 1741-1811)
PORTRAIT OF GENERAL KEITH MACALISTER, COLONEL OF THE 5TH MADRAS NATIVE CAVALRY
watercolour on ivory, the sitter with powdered grey hair, wearing a red jacket with white stand-up collar, silver chain epaulets and silver braid trim, over a white ruff shirt, signed with initials and dated 1791, in a gilt metal frame; the reverse with plaited hair under gilt metal initials ‘K.M’; in a fitted hardwood case with green velvet lining, and a hand-written note on the sitter describing the origin of his injured right eye.
7cm x 5.5cm
Private Scottish collection
This previously unrecorded portrait by John Smart (1742/3-1811) depicts Major-General Keith MacAlister (1746–1820) of the Madras Cavalry and was painted while Smart was working in India. John Smart was among the most distinguished portrait miniaturists active in Britain during the latter half of the eighteenth century. His work is characterized by a refined and meticulous technique, which offers a marked contrast to the vibrant and expressive style of his contemporary and rival, Richard Cosway. In 1755, both artists participated in a drawing competition for individuals under the age of fourteen, organized by the newly established Society of Arts. Cosway was awarded first prize, while Smart received second place. That same year, Smart commenced an apprenticeship under William Shipley. He went on to exhibit his miniature and portrait drawings with the Society of Artists from 1762 to 1783, and later at the Royal Academy between 1797 and 1811. From 1785 to 1795, Smart spent a highly productive and commercially successful decade working in India, and works from this period are particularly prized.Smart was given permission by the Court of Directors of the East India Company to go to India in 1785, so in the pursuit of fame and fortune, and accompanied by his daughter, he arrived in Madras in September that year, taking up residence in Fort St. George. He was patronised by personnel of the East India Company, prosperous merchants, government officials, and Indian courtiers and his skill soon brought him celebrity. Smart spent nearly all of his time in Madras with only short visits to Bombay and Bengal, and his work from this period provides a concentrated and specific view of society there. Upon his return to Britain in 1795 he quickly established himself with a successful studio in Mayfair and latterly, Fitzrovia, and continued to exhibit until his death in 1811.Major-General Keith MacAlister was the eldest of three soldier brothers who served with distinction in India. He was born at Skerrinish on the Isle of Skye, the son of Ranald MacAlister and Anne MacDonald. He ascended through the ranks rapidly following his appointment as cadet in 1777, becoming captain in 1796; lieutenant-colonel in 1799; colonel in 1809; and major-general in 1812. He is celebrated particularly for his role in the 1799 storming and capture of Seringapatam, a decisive battleground in the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War, and for rescuing his brother, Colonel Matthew Keith MacAlister, who had been imprisoned in the city for four years. Two other portrait miniatures by Smart of MacAlister are known to exist: a later portrait dated 1810 showing him in officer's uniform, [Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, Missouri]; and a sketch from the same period executed in watercolour and graphite depicting the sitter in civilian dress, [The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, Ohio]. The date of 1791 would place the present portrait prior to MacAlister's promotion to captain in 1796, and well before the two other known portraits, both completed nearly twenty years later.MacAlister is easily identified due to the distinctive milky colouring to his right eye, a consistent feature documented in the other known portraits of the sitter. Previous conjecture could only speculate on the cause, but rightly assumed it was a characteristic of MacAlister's physical attributes. The reason for the notable difference in eye colour can now be identified from the written note placed inside the miniature case. “His right eye was injured at a mess dinner through a crumb of bread flicked across the table by a brother officer. This caused a disease which has been so accurately depicted by the artist that it could be used as an illustration to any student of optics.”This rare and previously unknown portrait miniature has remained in private ownership with the same family, descended through marriage from the original owners. Please be aware that this lot contains material which may be subject to import/export restrictions, especially outside the EU, due to CITES regulations. Please note it is the buyer's sole responsibility to obtain any relevant export or import licence. For more information visit https://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla-en/imports-exports/cites/Sold in compliance with UK Government and APHA regulations, with (non-transferable) exemption registration reference LBPS1VLE
PORTRAIT OF GENERAL KEITH MACALISTER, COLONEL OF THE 5TH MADRAS NATIVE CAVALRY
watercolour on ivory, the sitter with powdered grey hair, wearing a red jacket with white stand-up collar, silver chain epaulets and silver braid trim, over a white ruff shirt, signed with initials and dated 1791, in a gilt metal frame; the reverse with plaited hair under gilt metal initials ‘K.M’; in a fitted hardwood case with green velvet lining, and a hand-written note on the sitter describing the origin of his injured right eye.
7cm x 5.5cm
Private Scottish collection
This previously unrecorded portrait by John Smart (1742/3-1811) depicts Major-General Keith MacAlister (1746–1820) of the Madras Cavalry and was painted while Smart was working in India. John Smart was among the most distinguished portrait miniaturists active in Britain during the latter half of the eighteenth century. His work is characterized by a refined and meticulous technique, which offers a marked contrast to the vibrant and expressive style of his contemporary and rival, Richard Cosway. In 1755, both artists participated in a drawing competition for individuals under the age of fourteen, organized by the newly established Society of Arts. Cosway was awarded first prize, while Smart received second place. That same year, Smart commenced an apprenticeship under William Shipley. He went on to exhibit his miniature and portrait drawings with the Society of Artists from 1762 to 1783, and later at the Royal Academy between 1797 and 1811. From 1785 to 1795, Smart spent a highly productive and commercially successful decade working in India, and works from this period are particularly prized.Smart was given permission by the Court of Directors of the East India Company to go to India in 1785, so in the pursuit of fame and fortune, and accompanied by his daughter, he arrived in Madras in September that year, taking up residence in Fort St. George. He was patronised by personnel of the East India Company, prosperous merchants, government officials, and Indian courtiers and his skill soon brought him celebrity. Smart spent nearly all of his time in Madras with only short visits to Bombay and Bengal, and his work from this period provides a concentrated and specific view of society there. Upon his return to Britain in 1795 he quickly established himself with a successful studio in Mayfair and latterly, Fitzrovia, and continued to exhibit until his death in 1811.Major-General Keith MacAlister was the eldest of three soldier brothers who served with distinction in India. He was born at Skerrinish on the Isle of Skye, the son of Ranald MacAlister and Anne MacDonald. He ascended through the ranks rapidly following his appointment as cadet in 1777, becoming captain in 1796; lieutenant-colonel in 1799; colonel in 1809; and major-general in 1812. He is celebrated particularly for his role in the 1799 storming and capture of Seringapatam, a decisive battleground in the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War, and for rescuing his brother, Colonel Matthew Keith MacAlister, who had been imprisoned in the city for four years. Two other portrait miniatures by Smart of MacAlister are known to exist: a later portrait dated 1810 showing him in officer's uniform, [Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, Missouri]; and a sketch from the same period executed in watercolour and graphite depicting the sitter in civilian dress, [The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, Ohio]. The date of 1791 would place the present portrait prior to MacAlister's promotion to captain in 1796, and well before the two other known portraits, both completed nearly twenty years later.MacAlister is easily identified due to the distinctive milky colouring to his right eye, a consistent feature documented in the other known portraits of the sitter. Previous conjecture could only speculate on the cause, but rightly assumed it was a characteristic of MacAlister's physical attributes. The reason for the notable difference in eye colour can now be identified from the written note placed inside the miniature case. “His right eye was injured at a mess dinner through a crumb of bread flicked across the table by a brother officer. This caused a disease which has been so accurately depicted by the artist that it could be used as an illustration to any student of optics.”This rare and previously unknown portrait miniature has remained in private ownership with the same family, descended through marriage from the original owners. Please be aware that this lot contains material which may be subject to import/export restrictions, especially outside the EU, due to CITES regulations. Please note it is the buyer's sole responsibility to obtain any relevant export or import licence. For more information visit https://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla-en/imports-exports/cites/Sold in compliance with UK Government and APHA regulations, with (non-transferable) exemption registration reference LBPS1VLE
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