Francis
Alleyne
1750 - 1815
Nathaniel Clifton MD 1751-1822, & his daughter Sophia (1779-1835) seated at a spinet
Nathaniel Clifton MD, & his daughter Sophia
inscribed on a label attached to the reverse " Sophia Clifton (afterwards married to J W Jackson, Surgeon ), born 14th march 1779, died 27th june 1835/ seated at a Spinet / and her father Nathaniel Clifton MD born and baptised 19th June 1751 (OS) died 9th or 10th October 1822/ buried at St Mary's Islington
oil on canvas
43 x 54 cm.
Provenance
Hilary Stafford Northcote, Bishton Hall, Wolseley Bridge, Staffordshire,
Notes
Francis Alleyne was an itinerant portrait painter visiting country houses around England. He specialised in small, oval three-quarter lengths and occasionally exhibited between 1774 and 1790. His working methods seem to have paid off as many of his portraits can still be found in family collections, with his distinctive style enabling swift identification of others.
Examples of Alleyne's work can be found in the collections of the National Trust in the U.K and Yale Center for British Art, U.S.A as well as numerous private collections. Francis Alleyne' was born or died on the dates associated with him. It seems he's a bit of a mystery. According to the National Gallery in London, Alleyne was active from 1774-1790 only.