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Signed lower left: T. Heaphy 1806

Watercolour over pencil

625 x 474 mm., 24 ¼ x 18 ½ in.

Heaphy first exhibited portraits in oils at the Royal Academy, however, realising that the market for oil portraits was more competitive and that he was a highly accomplished watercolourist, he decided to specialise in watercolours, both portraits, genre and subject pictures. He found royal patronage and was appointed Portrait Painter to the Princess of Wales in 1803. During the Peninsular War, at the invitation of the Duke of Wellington, Heaphy travelled to Spain to undertake portraits of the chief officers of the British Army, including several of Wellington. On his return he produced a monumental watercolour depicting the Duke of Wellington and about fifty of his officers, Field Marshal the Duke of Wellington Giving Orders to his Generals Previous to a General Action.

The present watercolour amply demonstrates Heaphy’s careful attention to detail, his innate ability to capture not only a likeness, but the character of the sitter as well as the delicacy of his palette.

Thumbnail panels:

Thomas Heaphy 1775-1835

Heaphy first exhibited portraits in oils at the Royal Academy, however, realising that the market for oil portraits was more competitive and that he was a highly accomplished watercolourist, he decided to specialise in watercolours, both portraits, genre and subject pictures. He found royal patronage and was appointed Portrait Painter to the Princess of Wales in 1803. During the Peninsular War, at the invitation of the Duke of Wellington, Heaphy travelled to Spain to undertake portraits of the chief officers of the British Army, including several of Wellington. On his return he produced a monumental watercolour depicting the Duke of Wellington and about fifty of his officers, Field Marshal the Duke of Wellington Giving Orders to his Generals Previous to a General Action.