Back

Major-General Sir Henry Wheatley (1777-1852)

Artist

Henry William Pickersgill R.A. (1782-1875)

product

Major-General Sir Henry Wheatley (1777-1852)

Artist

Henry William Pickersgill R.A. (1782-1875)

Guide Price:

SOLD

Oil on canvas 36 by 28inches; (92 x 71cm.), circa 1836; framed; half-length, in uniform, wearing the sash and star of the GCH

Provenance: Debenham & Coe Auctioneers, lot 58, 9th August 1972; as "portrait of an officer";Christies, lot 84, 22nd June 1973 sold as "Major-General Sir Herbert Taylor by Lawrence", bought by Parker Gallery; Parker Gallery, circa 1974; John Cordle, M.P. (1912-2004)

Born in 1777 the sitter was the 4th son of William Wheatley, Lord of the Manor of Erith in Kent. Joining the 1st Foot Guards as an ensign in May 1795 he was promoted to Lieutenant in August 1798 and then Captain a year later. In 1809 whilst serving with the regiment in the Peninsula Campaign he was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel, later acting as Aide de Camp to Sir Harry Burrard after seeing action at the battles of Vimiera and Barossa. In July 1830 he was appointed to the Royal household as Keeper of the Privy Purse a position he held continuously until 1848 serving both William IV and Queen Victoria. In 1831 he was knighted and later in 1835 he received the Grand Cross of the Royal Hanoverian Guelphic Order (GCH) also obtaining the rank of Major-General. He resided for a time at Hampton Court and is recorded as dying at St. James’s Palace in 1852, being buried in the family vault of St. John’s, Erith.
He married in 1806 Louisa, daughter of George Edward Hawkins, who was painted by Sir Thomas Lawrence. They had six children; two of his sons losing their lives in the armed services and his youngest daughter becoming maid of Honour to the dowager Queen Adelaide.

Born in London Pickersgill established a very successful portrait practice exhibiting at the Royal Academy regularly throughout his life. His style shows the influence of Sir Thomas Lawrence which has led to the confusion over the identity and attribution of this particular portrait for many years. Wheatley is shown in typical Byronic pose popular from the Regency era but despite this there is humility of expression and quiet pride as he draws back his cape to display his new honour of the GCH.
Pickersgill’s work can be found in many national collections including the National Portrait Galleries of England and Scotland, the Tate and the National Gallery of Ireland.

Literature: Richard Walker: “Regency Portraits” p.493, NPG 1985, when thought to be of Sir Herbert Taylor
Kenneth Garlick: “Sir Thomas Lawrence” p.281, Phaidon 1989, almost certainly the portrait mentioned as Wheatley but not known to the author.

Exhibited: Royal Academy 1836, no. 223

Engraved: F. Joubert, circa 1836