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George Chinnery (London 1774-1852 Macau) Portrait of James Ruthven Elphinstone
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Description
George Chinnery (London 1774-1852 Macau) Portrait of James Ruthven Elphinstone bears inscription 'Honorable James Ruthven Elphinstone' (verso) pencil and wash 32.7 x 26.4cm (12 7/8 x 10 3/8in). Footnotes: The sitter in this portrait (James Ruthven Elphinstone) is mentioned on a couple of occasions in Patrick Connor's book George Chinnery - Artist of India and the China Coast. Elphinstone held connections to the East India Company, being the nephew of one of the directors. In 1809 he became the third judge of the Provincial Court of Appeal at Dhaka (Dacca), Bangladesh. Patrick Connor emphasises that it is likely that Elphinstone's job and connection to the East India Company may have been a contributing factor for Chinnery's decision to create portraits of Elphinstone's brother in law, Sir John Adam. It was common at the time for many European men living in India to have Indian wives or mistresses, and Elphinstone conformed to this; having an Indian mistress who he fathered daughters with. It is believed that Chinnery also completed pencil sketches of these daughters. However, Elphinstone was never depicted in the drawings with them. Such was the case with many of the other British men that Chinnery sketched. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing
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George Chinnery (London 1774-1852 Macau) Portrait of James Ruthven Elphinstone bears inscription 'Honorable James Ruthven Elphinstone' (verso) pencil and wash 32.7 x 26.4cm (12 7/8 x 10 3/8in). Footnotes: The sitter in this portrait (James Ruthven Elphinstone) is mentioned on a couple of occasions in Patrick Connor's book George Chinnery - Artist of India and the China Coast. Elphinstone held connections to the East India Company, being the nephew of one of the directors. In 1809 he became the third judge of the Provincial Court of Appeal at Dhaka (Dacca), Bangladesh. Patrick Connor emphasises that it is likely that Elphinstone's job and connection to the East India Company may have been a contributing factor for Chinnery's decision to create portraits of Elphinstone's brother in law, Sir John Adam. It was common at the time for many European men living in India to have Indian wives or mistresses, and Elphinstone conformed to this; having an Indian mistress who he fathered daughters with. It is believed that Chinnery also completed pencil sketches of these daughters. However, Elphinstone was never depicted in the drawings with them. Such was the case with many of the other British men that Chinnery sketched. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing
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