Among the pictures at Brickwall House, Northiam, Sussex, are the
following portraits by artists whose names are not mentioned either in
Bryan, or Pilkington, or Horace Walpole's notices of painters. I shall
be thankful for any information respecting them.
1. A full-length portrait in oils (small size) on canvas (29 inches
by 24) of a gentleman seated, dressed in a handsome loose gown, red
slippers, and on his head a handsome, but very peculiar velvet cap;
on the ground, near him, a squirrel; and on a table by his side, a
ground plan of some fortification. "John Sommer _pinxit_, 1700."
N. B.--The late Capt. Marryatt, and subsequently another gentleman,
guessed it to be a portrait of Wortley Montague from the peculiar dress;
but the fortification would seem to indicate a military personage. The
picture is well painted.
2. A half-length portrait in oils (small size) on canvas (20-1/2
inches by 17), of an old lady seated; a landscape in the background.
A highly finished and excellent picture; the lace in her cap is most
elaborate. "T. Vander Wilt, 1701."
N. B.--I conclude this is the artist's name, though possibly it may be
the subject's.
3. A pair of portraits (Kit Kat size), of John Knight of Slapton,
Northamptonshire, aged seventy-two; and Catherine his wife, aged
thirty-seven. "Lucas Whittonus _pinxit_, 1736."
N. B.--Inferior portraits by some provincial artist. I conclude Lucas is
the surname, and Whittonus indicates his locality; if so, what place?
Whilst on this subject, I would add another Query respecting a picture
in this house: a very highly finished portrait (small size) by Terburgh,
of a gentleman standing, in black gown, long brown wig, and a book on a
table by him. "Andries de Græff. Obiit lxxiii., MDCLXXIIII."
Can you tell me anything about this old gentleman?