This mid-19th-century oil painting by British artist John Robert Wildman (1788-1843) depicts a gentleman wearing a dark brown frock coat with waistcoat, white shirt and cravat. He bears a passing resemblance to the romantic poet, William Wordsworth (1770-1850).
Slightly crumpled, a little dishevelled, cravat rather hastily tied, he’s evidently a man absorbed by his work. What appears to be a small magnifying glass hangs from his coat - perhaps a clue as to his occupation.
Born in Lambeth, London, Wildman was initially trained by his father but little else is known about how he developed such a keen reputation as a portraitist. During the 1820s, he rose to prominence when producing numerous works depicting the notable figures of his day. Many of these were engraved for various publishers and disseminated widely.
Around 1820, he produced a scene featuring the Yorkshire landowner, and member of parliament, Walter Fawkes accompanied by a rather stout J.M.W. Turner in the grounds at Farnley Hall. How he came to paint them is unclear but he certainly moved within the right circles.
Following his debut at the Royal Academy, British Institution and Society of British Artists, he continued to work from his London studio, living first in Mile End and later at Beaumont Square in Stepney with his wife and five children. All was apparently well and in 1841, a Royal commission followed when Prince Albert sat for him.
However, the following year, his wife Elizabeth died prematurely leaving him to raise his family single-handed. And to compound his distress, he had become seriously unwell, resulting in a near-total loss of income. The Art Union published a plea in the hope of attracting an act of philanthropy, but to little avail - in 1843, he died of “general debility”.
“Mr. John Robert Wildman, a Portrait Painter of considerable talents, has been suffering from illness so severe for the last two years, as to render him utterly incapable of pursuing his profession; his means of subsistence are entirely exhausted; he has a young family entirely dependant on him for support, and has had the misfortune recently to lose his wife by sudden death. Subscriptions will be thankfully received, and specimens of his works shown, by Messrs. Welch and Gwynne, 24, St. James's Street, Printsellers to the Royal Family.”
The life and trials of John Robert Wildman serve as a poignant reminder of the fate of many early 19th-century painters who, despite their evident skill and reputation, were consumed by the realities of their environment. He remains underrated.
Signed/inscribed on the reverse and held within a later frame.
Learn more about John Robert Wildman in our directory.
Medium: Oil on canvas
Overall size: 30½” x 35½” / 77cm x 90cm
Year of creation: c. 1840
Labels & Inscriptions: Inscribed on the reverse.
Provenance: Private collection, UK.
Condition: Cleaned. Revarnished. Canvas relined. Craquelure throughout. The paint layer is stable. Old repairs. Frame in excellent condition.
Artist’s auction maximum: £12,650 for ‘Portrait of a Young Girl’, Oil on canvas, Christie’s, Old Master Paintings, New York, 1995 (lot 85).
Our reference: BRV1944
