Harlequin Portrait of Charles Edward Stuart, Bonnie Prince Charlie (1720-1788), full-length, in tartan coat, breeches, his plaid on the ground beside him, his left hand resting on the hilt of a sword, a shield and pistol beside him, in a landscape, a castle beyond

Details

Wasdail (c.1692-1767)
Harlequin Portrait of Charles Edward Stuart, Bonnie Prince Charlie (1720-1788), full-length, in tartan coat, breeches, his plaid on the ground beside him, his left hand resting on the hilt of a sword, a shield and pistol beside him, in a landscape, a castle beyond
oil on canvas
29 x 20 in. (73.7 x 50.8 cm.)

Provenance

Marmion Edward Ferrers, Baddesley Clinton, Warwickshire and by descent until sold in 1973.
The Roger Collection; Sotheby's, London, 29 January 1998, lot 447 (sold £7,475).

Special notice

VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price plus buyer's premium.

Sale room notice

Please note that the size should read 30 x 22½ in. (76.2 x 57.2 cm.) and not as stated in the catalogue. It has been suggested that the name Wasdail, associated with this portrait type through an engraving, maybe a corruption of James Worsdale (c. 1692-1767).

Lot Essay

Prince Charles Edward Stuart was the elder son of Prince James, the Old Pretender, and his wife, Princess Maria Clementina, and grandson of James II.

There are a number of versions of this portrait type, collectively known as Harlequin portraits after the tartan Bonnie Prince Charlie is wearing. The possible prototype was sold Christie's, Glasgow, 12 June 1996, lot 188. Other versions are in the National Portrait Gallery, Edinburgh and at Thornbury Castle. A similar portrait is in the collection of Donald Nicholas (see D. Nicholas, The Portraits of Bonnie Prince Charlie, Maidstone, 1973). It has been suggested that the name Wasdail, associated with this portrait type through an engraving, may be a corruption of Worsdale.

More from British Pictures 1500-1850

View All