Inv. 14587 - Vendor's description
DETAILED WATERCOLOR OF AN ARCHITECT / SURVEYOR AND HIS INSTRUMENTS, English, c. 1846, annotated on a label on the back "This is a painting of Mr. John Whalley of Chester architect & surveyor. Born 1825 -- Portrait done for his 21st birthday 1846. Original frame. (died October 1903)." The oval glazed watercolor on paper is 7-3/4" x 9-3/4" (20 x 25 cm) depicting in great detail this well dressed and well coiffed gentleman, seated before his drawing, with pen and dividers in hand. On the table is an ebony and ivory octant, a box probably for drawing instruments, and a large brass device, probably a pantograph. And on tripod stand is a fine long telescopic level fitted with large compass, spirit level, and leveling head. The instruments are depicted in great detail, obviously painted from "life." The head is painted with extraordinary quality, noting the fine details of the hair, the tones of the face, the shape of the nose, the slightly raised eyebrow, and the reflections in the eyes (revealing, it seems, a single large square window full of daylight, and the silhouette of the painter!)
Condition of the work is fine except for some browning of the paper and one area of foxing in the background of the scene. The oval frame, 14" x 16" overall, is carved with roses, black enameled with gilded highlights. It shows some wear, and losses to the molding, but is basically fine and original. A fine document, preserving the likeness of this identified professional, and rare for its quite accurate depiction of the instrument details.