Lot 41: Sir William Allan (British 1782-1850) "Circassian Captives" Oil Board Painting

Sir William Allan (British 1782-1850) "Circassian Captives" Oil on Board Painting. An exceptional quality painting in every way. The details are phenomenal, the scene is captivating. The Sale of Circassian Captives to a Turkish Bashaw depicts a Circassian tribal chief selling captives of a neighboring tribe taken in war, to a Turkish Sultan or Pasha (Bashaw). The exposed portion of the board measures 16 by 24 in (41 x 61 cm) and the period giltwood frame measures 23 by 30 inches. According to Christie's (from their description of lot 82, a painting by Allan with estimate of 30,000-50,000 GBP, in their sale in London on June 7, 2007), the original painting was exhibited to great acclaim in 1815 in Edinburgh. A reproduction on paper by the Scottish engraver, James Stewart, resides in the collection of the National Galleries of Scotland, and we have seen another appear for sale online, but ours is the painted work after the original that we have seen in our almost 20 years in business. Allan was a distinguished Scottish historical painter. A member of the Royal Academy, he also served as President of the Royal Scottish Academy. He travelled widely, to France, Germany, Russian, Spain, Morocco and elsewhere, and is known for his painted genre scenes of historic moments and battles, and for his portraiture. Notably, in 1843 The Duke of Wellington is said to have purchased his painting entitled Battle of Waterloo from the English Side. In 1841 he became the limner (portraitist) to the queen in Scotland and was knighted in 1842. Allan's works periodically appear at major auction. A most notable sale occurred at Sotheby's in London on September 5, 2001, in their sale of Scottish and Sporting Pictures, where his portrait of Mary Queen of Scots was offered in lot 1,333 with an estimate of 50,000-80,000 GBP and sold for 108,000 GBP. Very nice condition Signed on the back.