Lot 110: Edward Alcock (fl. 1757-1778)

Edward Alcock (fl. 1757-1778)
Portrait of a gentleman, full-length, in a red velvet suit, standing by a writing desk; and Portrait of a lady, full-length, seated in an oyster satin dress, a book in her right hand
the former signed and dated 'Edw.υd Alcock 1769' (lower right); the latter signed with initials and dated 'E.A 1769' (lower right)
oil on canvas
16 7/8 x 11½ in. (42.8 x 29.2 cm.)
a pair

with Frost and Reed, Bristol and London (according to labels on the reverse).

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The itinerant portrait and miniaturist painter, Edward Alcock, is first recorded at Bath in 1757. By 1759 he was living in Birmingham where he painted the poet, William Shenstone (now in the National Portrait Gallery). In a letter, Shenstone describes the artist as being 'esteemed to shine among the painters of Birmingham'.

The present pair are characteristic of his small full-length portraits from the period between 1762-1774, and stylistically show the influence of Arthur Devis.