The earliest known self-portrait by Thomas Gainsborough, R.A., (1727-1788), one of the most important and influential painters of 18th century England, has sold for £116,460 to a London-based buyer on the telephone at the Cheffins Fine sale in Cambridge on 21st April.
The picture, which carried a pre-sale estimate of £40,000 - £60,000, is also believed to be one of Gainsborough’s earliest attempts at painting in oil and likely to have been made soon after he moved from his native Sudbury in Suffolk to London at the age of thirteen in 1740.
Nicolas Martineau, Auctioneer at Cheffins commented: “This painting saw a great deal of interest ahead of the auction, with enquiries from private collectors and institutions worldwide. As the leading portrait painter of the 18th century, this important work from Gainsborough’s early career represents an exciting glimpse into his development as an artist and what potentially was to come. It has been a privilege to offer the work at auction here at Cheffins in Gainsborough’s native East Anglia.”
The picture was sold on behalf of a London-based private collector where it has been held since 2008. Prior to this it was exhibited at Tate Britain, The National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.
The self-portrait has changed hands three times since 1974 when it was purchased from the estate of Ernest Albert Butcher (a descendant of Robert Butcher) in Australia by the collector, dealer and philanthropist Neville Podmore. It was subsequently purchased by Felder Old Master Paintings in 2001 and then Philip Mould, Historical Portraits, in 2005 before entering the collection of the current owner. It is not altogether clear how the picture was acquired by the Butcher family, but a possible explanation is that it was acquired by Robert Butcher, Steward to 4th Duke of Bedford (1710-1771). The Duke was one of Gainsborough’s earliest patrons and it’s believed that the artist and Butcher had direct dealings with each other whilst Gainsborough painted portraits of the Duke and Duchess in the 1760’s.
The price reported is the total, inclusive of buyers’ premium (24.5 per cent) and VAT.
Auction: The Fine Sale, 21st April 2021
Location: Cheffins, Clifton House, 1-2 Clifton Road, Cambridge, UK, CB1 7EA
For further information contact the Fine Art Department on 01223 213343, fine.art@cheffins.co.uk
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