Lot 151: Michael Angelo Hayes, R.H.A. (1820-1877)

Portrait of William Cunninghame Bontine, of the 2nd Royal North British Dragoons (Royal Scots Grey), in uniform, his charger and soldiers beyond
signed 'M. Angelo Hayes.' (lower right)
pencil and watercolour heightened with bodycolour and with gum arabic, arched
30 1/2 x 44 1/2 in. (77.5 x 113 cm.)

Anonymous sale; Christie's, Scotland, 27 April 1989, lot 509.

The Property of The late David H.L. Nugent, Esq., sold by order of the Executors

The sitter appears to be William Cunnighame Bontine of Ardoch, son of R.C. Cunninghame Graham of Gartmore and Finlayston, who married Anne Elizabeth Elphinstone-Fleming, niece of 14th Lord Elphinstone on 12 June 1851 and who died on 6 September 1883. He is depicted in the uniform of the 2nd (Royal North British) Dragoons, also known as the Royal Scots Greys. Bontine was a Lieutenant in the 2nd Dragoons, on 4 May 1852 he was appointed Captain in the Stirling, Dumbarton, Clackmannan & Kinross Regiment of Militia and on 6 January 1855 promoted to Major in the Renfrew Militia. He was appointed Deputy-Lieutenant for Stirling on 22 May 1863.

Hayes was Irish and it is possible that the present picture was painted in Ireland as the 2nd Dragoons served in Ireland from 1836-43 and 1846-51. Hayes also painted the regiment in 1839 and 1845-6.

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis