Sir Samuel Luke Fildes, RA, British 1843-1927- Mrs Robert Borwick; oil on canvas, signed and dated 'Luke Fildes 1890' (upper left), inscribed and dated 'Mrs Robert Borwick / by Luke Fildes / April 1890' verso, 144.8 by 95.9 cm. Provenance: Collection of Sir Robert Borwick; thence by descent to his son, George 2nd Baron Borwick (1880–1941) (until at least 1937). Anon. sale, Christie’s, London, 12 June 1992, lot 124. Anon. sale Sotheby’s, New York, 15 October 2020, lot 122, when acquired by the present owner. Exhibited: London, Royal Academy, 1890, no. 395. Note: Liverpool-born artist Sir Samuel Luke Fildes began his artistic career as an illustrator, producing work for publications like the Graphic, a weekly newspaper focused on social reform, and supplying book illustrations for renowned authors like Charles Dickens and William Thackeray. During the 1870s, however, Fildes moved away from illustration and instead turned his attention to oil painting, quickly becoming one of Britain’s most sought-after portrait painters. At the height of his fame, Fildes was even commissioned to capture the likenesses of several members of the Royal Family, including King Edward VII, Queen Alexandra, and King George V. The reverse of the portrait presented here bears an inscription that identifies the subject as Mrs Robert Borwick, formerly known as Caroline Smith Johnston (1853–1936). Caroline was the sixth daughter of Reverend Richard Daniel Johnston (1815–1885) and Susan Anne Farley (1821–1876). On March 6, 1872, Caroline married Robert Hudson Borwick (1845–1936), a wealthy businessman. Robert served as the chairman of George Borwick & Sons Ltd, a family enterprise established by his father George (1807–1889) in 1844. By the close of the nineteenth century, the company had emerged as a prominent English manufacturer of baking, egg, and custard powders, boasting a capital of £100,000 in 1902. In recognition of his accomplishments, Borwick was knighted in 1902 and later bestowed with the title of Baronet, of Eden Lacy in the County of Lancaster, in 1916. Consequently, Caroline assumed the title of Baroness Borwick. Together, they had two sons and seven daughters. Painted when Mrs Borwick was 37, the portrait presented here serves as a remarkable illustration of Samuel Luke Fildes’ skill as a society painter. Fildes has paid particular attention to his sitter’s clothing and jewellery, which are rendered in great detail: Mrs Borwick wears an impressive black evening gown embellished with intricate beadwork and delicate lace. A necklace made of pearls gracefully adorns her neck and, on her wrists, she wears slender gold bracelets. Clasped in her hand is a gilded fan, and radiant gold diamond rings sparkle on her fingers. The present picture was showcased at the Royal Academy in 1890, the same year it was created, and was exhibited in Gallery IV alongside works by renowned artists such as Watts, Boughton, Cole, and Sargent. During this exhibition, Fildes also presented his Portrait of Mrs. Thomas Agnew in Gallery III and a Portrait of a lady in Gallery V. The circumstances surrounding the execution of the portrait remain unknown, however, it is documented that this picture remained in the Borwick family until at least one year after Mrs. Borwick’s death. This is substantiated by a photograph taken in May 1937, which features Caroline’s eldest son, George, 2nd Baron Borwick (1880-1941), and his second wife, Dorothea Gertrude Borwick. In the photograph, Caroline’s portrait can be seen hanging on the wall at the family’s residence [NPG x152941].
