Lot 12: ISAAC GOSSET

ISAAC GOSSET 1713 - 1799 PORTRAIT OF WILLIAM AUGUSTUS, DUKE OF CUMBERLAND (1721-1765); PORTRAIT OF JEFFERY, BARON AMHERST (1717-1797) both profile to right with powdered hair en queue , the Duke wearing armour, the shoulder-plate with lion's head motif, frilled lace collar, sash and fur cloak pinned at his shoulder Quantity: 2 the first signed l.c: I Gofset Fecit; later inscribed on the backboard William / Duke of Cumberland / 2d [sic] son of Geo 2; the second with a label for the Clumber Collection verso both cream coloured wax with wax background, both held in original turned wood frames 10 by 7.8 cm.; 4 by 3 1/8 in.; 10.7 by 7.8 cm.; 4 1/4 by 3 1/8 in.

J. Kerslake, Early Georgian Portraits, 1977, Vol. 1, p. 69

The first: Anonymous sale, Bonhams London, 10 April 2002, lot 300;
The second: Possibly the Clumber Collection; Anonymous sale, Bonhams London, The Connoisseur's Cabinet, 7 November 2001, lot 221

The artist was referred to by George Vertue as that 'ingenious Mr Gosset'. Vertue expanded further, noting that his 'skill has been so universally approved on for [his] likenesses' (see G. Vertue, Note Books, vol. III, Walpole Society, vol. XXII, 1933-1934, p. 160). The Clumber collection of books and manuscripts was largely gathered together by the fourth Duke of Newcastle (1785-1851) but was later dispersed at different dates by various descendents.