A dramatic historical military oil painting of Napoleon’s retreat from Waterloo by Sir John Gilbert. Seated on his horse Marengo, Napoleon is depicted turning away from the fighting with some of his officers as his imperial guards are overpowered by Anglo-Allied and Prussian forces. This original oil on panel painting is most likely a preliminary work for a larger painting. It was made into an engraving which appeared in the ‘The Life, Military and Civil of the Duke of Wellington’ by William Hamilton Maxwell, p364, published by H G Bohn in 1852. According to the handwritten inscription, the painting was owned by Henry Brock Hollinshead of Hollinshead Hall in Preston, Lancashire. Further research has discovered that Brock Hollinshead sold the contents of his house when he moved out of the area in 1845. Details of the sale, including a mention of the painting and its companion appeared in the Blackburn Standard on 2 April, 1845, p1. It was purchased at the sale by James Cross of Coney Garths, Ripon in Yorkshire. It was subsequently inherited by his son Rev. James Cross (1847-1931), who later held office at the parish of Sturminster Marshall, Wimborne, Dorset from 1877-1931. The painting was then owned by the Parker Gallery (possibly during the 1950’s).
John Gilbert was born in Blackheath on 21 July, 1817 the oldest child of George Felix Gilbert and Elizabeth Wickenden. His father was an auctioneer and a fund holder and encouraged his sons to work in either stock broking or property. After finishing his education, he was apprenticed to an estate agent but in his spare time taught himself to draw and began copying prints. After completing his apprenticeship he turned to illustrating from the 1830’s. He earned his living producing wood block engravings for books including Cowper’s Poems, the Poems of George Crabbe and the Poetical Works of Alexander Pope (1846). He also contributed many works for the Illustrated London News from the time of its founding in 1842.
As well as illustrations, Gilbert also started working in watercolours and oils, with his subjects often inspired by the literary and historical books he came across. He particularly enjoyed painting battle scenes and pivotal moments in history. He began exhibiting at the British Institution in 1837 and a year later made his debut at the Royal Academy in 1838. He also exhibited at the Old Watercolour Society, becoming an associate in 1852 and a member in 1854.
He remained unmarried and lived with his family at their home in Blackheath. By the 1870’s he had become a highly successful and respected artist which enabled him to set up a studio at Ivy House in Vanbrugh Park in Blackheath. In 1871 he was knighted and in the same year was elected an Associate of the Royal Academy. He was later made a full Academician at the RA in 1876. He was also elected president of the Old Watercolour Society in 1873 and in 1881 was responsible for changing its name to the Royal Society of Painters in Water Colours.
He continued living at Ivy House until his death on 5 October 1897. He was buried at Brockley and Ladywell Cemetery. Probate documents show him to have been a considerably wealthy man even by today’s standards at the time of his death. Examples of his paintings are held in many public art collections including the Ashmolean Museum, Blackburn Museum, Guildhall Art Gallery, Harris Museum, Manchester Art Gallery, Parliamentary Art Collection, Royal Academy of Arts, Royal Cornwall Museum, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Towneley Hall Art Gallery, Ulster Museum, V&A and the Walker Art Gallery
© Benton Fine Art
Presentation | The painting is housed in a new, English made gilt frame which is in excellent condition. The reverse bears an inscription in pencil by Rev. James Cross: “Bought cir 1847 by my father at the sale of Brock Hollinshead at Hollinshead House, Preston, Lancs by John Gilbert”. There is also an old handwritten label (see image) and a label for the Parker Gallery. |
Condition | As with all of our original antique oil paintings, this work is offered in ready to hang gallery condition, having been professionally cleaned, restored and revarnished. |
Dimensions
Image Size | 11.25 inches x 15.5 inches (28.5cm x 39.5cm) |
Framed Size | 16.5 inches x 20.75 inches (42cm x 53cm) |