Frederick Lutyens (British 1860-1924) Portrait Sir Charles Ferguson (1865-1951)? Oil on Canvas

Fine Art : Paintings : Oil

 

Frederick Mansfield Lutyens (British 1860-1924); a superb late Victorian portrait of a Gentleman, probably Sir Charles Ferguson (1865-1951) seated on a black hunter stallion, accompanied by his wife (probably Lady Isabella Elizabeth Ferguson) in walking costume and two dogs, in a setting of heather covered heathland, probably a South East England landscape, a large country house on the far horizon; oil on canvas; signed “F M Lutyens” and dated “95” lower right; mounted in a substantial ebonised frame with gilt slip; 90 x 59.5cm (35.5 x 23.5ins) sight (visible canvas) size.

In 1887, Lutyens is known to have painted a portrait of Sir Charles Ferguson (1865-1951), who was Governor General of New Zealand from 1924-1930 and to whom the gentleman seated on the horse in this portrait bears a strong resemblance. Ferguson married his third wife, Isabella Elizabeth (daughter of Thomas Twysden), in 1893, two years before the date of this portrait. She was the widow of the cricketer, Charles Hugh Hoare, of Mordern, Surrey. It would appear that the marriage was not altogether successful, with the tradition in his family being of it being quickly regretted and of the two pursuing separate lives. Lady Ferguson is not known to have ever visited his family home at Kilkerran in Ayrshire, and after he died in an earthquake at Kingston, Jamaica, she did not attend his memorial service in London. Her subsequent passing three years later also went unremarked by his family. It is possible that this portrait may have been among her effects. Although it is not yet possible to be entirely certain that these are the subjects of this portrait, the circumstantial evidence is persuasive. If the distant house could be identified, or an image found of Lady Ferguson, it might be possible to make this beyond doubt. (With particular thanks to Dr John Wieczorek for the research which led to this identification)

CONDITION: The portrait has been reduced in height by some four inches or so of blue sky. This is still present, the extra canvas being folded over the stretcher, and could be restored. However, my own view is that the present proportions are right for the painting. The canvas has not been relined. Inspection under ultraviolet light reveals minor retouching and also that the chocolate Labrador lying centrally in the heather may be a later addition, although this is not to say that it is necessarily by a different artist. There is some light craqueleure, mainly to the left hand side, though this is not obtrusive. The frame has a few minor losses which have been re-touched. In my view no additional work is required - the painting is ready for hanging.

BIOGRAPHY: Frederick Lutyens was the son of the equestrian artist Charles Henry Augustus Lutyens, and brother of Sir Edwin Lutyens, the famous architect. Although his output was by no means as prolific as that of his father or brother, he is recognised most for his considerable talent as an equestrian artist. He collaborated with his father Charles, c.1880, illustrating “Mr Spinks and His Hounds, a Hunting Story” and in 1905 on “Gallinule”, an equestrian portrait. A portrait by him is held in public collection at Jesus College Cambridge.

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Item ID: RL-0621