Lot 466 , Attributed to Joseph Vernet (aka Vincent) Gibson (active 1860-1890), Portrait of William John Legh, 1st Baron Newton (1828-1898), seated with his dog ‘Row’, Oil on canvas, 30 x 25cm.

Attributed to Joseph Vernet (aka Vincent) Gibson (active 1860-1890), ,
Portrait of William John Legh, 1st Baron Newton (1828-1898), seated with his dog ‘Row’,
Oil on canvas
inscription verso by his son Gilbert Legh (?) dated 9/6/18
Note: ‘Row’ was descended from a line of mastiffs kept at Lyme Hall, Cheshire (seat of the Legh Family) which was reputedly founded by a mastiff or 'alaunt' bitch who rescued Sir Piers Legh (1389-1422) on the battlefield of Agincourt in 1415. Mastiffs and other large breeds were used as ‘War Dogs’ as late as the 16th century. This portrait would appear to be painted by the artist working for Dickinson & Foster who specialised in producing paintings from photographic portraits.
30 x 25cm.
£400-600

Condition:
Oil on canvas in original untouched condition, paint looks little dirty with slight rubbing down the right margin. On the glass in the original gesso frame with slight losses at the corners. Inscribed verso Dickinson & Foster London 1879 and applied with a handwritten label dated 1918. Label inscribed “ My father and his dog Row – one of the Lyme Hall breed of mastiffs. The breed is said to have been rest up at Lyme by the Leigh’s since the Battle of Agincourt GFF 9/6/18 Provenance: private Sussex house sale.

Sold for £1,900