Charles Powlett, 3rd Duke of Bolton and 8th Marquess of Winchester (1685-1754)

James Seymour (1702 - 1752)

Oil on canvas

c.1740
  • About the work
    Location
    Country: UK
    City: London
    Place: Government Art Collection

    This work was formerly owned by Clarissa Mary Sofer-Whitburn (1878-1967), wife of the banker Charles William Sofer-Whitburn (born 1876). In 1922 the couple purchased Amport House, near Andover, in Hampshire. From the mid-17th century Amport had been a seat of the Paulet family, who inherited the title ‘Marquess of Winchester’ in 1794. The 14th Marquess commissioned architect William Burn (1789-1870) to rebuild the main house in 1857 and his building was the structure purchased by the Sofer-Whitburns.

    This portrait was sold by Clarissa in December 1951, through Christie’s. The painting may have been fixed to a wall at Amport House, surrounded by plasterwork or panelling, and therefore originally purchased by the Sofer-Whitburns with the house. This would explain why it was sold unframed, as 'Portrait of the Marquis of Winchester' in 1951. When the portrait was resold in February 1954, it was listed as ‘Portrait of a nobleman (said to be the Marquess of Winchester)’ and the link with Amport House was then unknown. Confirmation that this work represents the 8th Marquess of Winchester has yet to be found.

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  • Details
    Title
    Charles Powlett, 3rd Duke of Bolton and 8th Marquess of Winchester (1685-1754)
    Date
    c.1740
    Medium
    Oil on canvas
    Dimensions
    height: 131.50 cm, width: 129.00 cm
    Acquisition
    Purchased from Christie's, 12 February 1954
    Provenance
    Collection of Mrs Clarissa Mary Sofer-Whitburn (née Heseltine; 1878-1967) of Forbury Grove, Kintbury, Newbury, Berkshire; by whom sold through Christie's, London, 'Old Pictures... Sporting Pictures... also Ancient & Modern Pictures' sale, on 21 December 1951 (Lot 69), as 'Portrait of the Marquis of Winchester', unframed; with Spink and Sons; by whom sold through Christie's, London, on 12 February 1954 (Lot 125), as ‘Portrait of a nobleman (said to be the Marquess of Winchester)’; from which sale purchased by Leggatt Bros. on behalf of the Ministry of Works
    GAC number
    2622