PORTRAIT IN OILS.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20234, 12 May 1931, Page 11

PORTRAIT IN OILS.

PAINTING BY SIR DAVID WILKIE, R.A. IDENTIFICATION PROBLEM. An interesting problem of identification was provided by a portrait in oils, now known to be by the eminent Scottish painter, Sir David" Wilkie, R.A. (1785-1841), which came recently into the hands of Mr H. B. Williams, of Gisborne. The painting, which is $ fine study of a head, is at present to be seen in the gallery of* Mr M. MeCormick, of Christchurch, who has been active in having it authenticated. Without knowing who had painted the head, Mr Williams bought it originally because he was struck by its obvious quality, though one opinion was given that it was by Bembrandt, while another was to the effect that it was a head of Oliver Goldsmith, by Reynolds. When it was placed in his hands for identification, Mr McCormick sent a photograph of it to England for an expert opinion, and received the reply that it was by Sir David Wilkie, arid was a portrait of Goldsmith. Subjects Unidentified. When it was pointed out by him that Goldsmith had died about 20 years before Wilkie's birth, the critic adhered to his opinion that it was by Wilkie, but asked that the painting itself should be sent to England. This was done, and comparison with other works by Wilkie in the National Portrait Gallery confirmed his opinion. Its subject -remains unidentified. The picture will be on exhibition in Mr MeCormict's gallery for a short* period, so that artists and students may have an opportunity of seeing it before it is returned to its owner.