565

William John Thomson, R.A./R.S.A. (American/Scottish, 1771-1845), "Portrait of a Lady in a Garden, Probably Mrs. William (Mary) Somerville (1780-1872)," 1837,

oil on wood panel with "Roberson & Miller/ 51 Long Acre, London" art supplier stamp (1829-1838) en verso, unsigned, period handwritten label en verso inscribed "Painted by/ W.J. Thomson/ Edinburgh/ 1837", presented in a gesso and giltwood frame,
H.- 24 in., W.- 17 5/8 in., Framed H.- 31 3/8 in., W.- 26 in.

  • Provenance: Collection of Achille Gallo (1895-1962), New Orleans, Louisiana; thence by descent through the Estate of William and Beverly (Gallo) Caulffield, New Orleans, Louisiana.

    Note: Achille Gallo, a native New Orleanian, was an accomplished violinist/cellist, who played for the New Orleans French Opera House and throughout the country. His father, an Italian composer for the Met and the French Opera House, established the young Achille and further connected him to New York and Europe. Between 1930 and 1955, Achille amassed an impressive collection of antique violins and 17th and 18th-century masterpiece paintings. A 1955 article on his collection, published in the "Times Picayune", calls his home "A little Louvre' in Paris, a 'little Galleria Pitti' in Florence. Every room's an art gallery with paintings on all sides…. Achille will point out originals by Sir Joshua Reynolds, Watteau, J.M.W. Turner, and Van Dyke's painting of the daughter of Henry IV…. His favorite painting is of Mrs. William Sommerville[sic] by a famous Scottish artist."

    In the 60+ years since Mr. Gallo's death, the Caulffield heirs have not been able to ascertain from their inventory which work this is; perhaps that is because the inventory listed the London Royal Academy member William John Thomson as English, not an American-born Scotsman, and equally accredited member of the Royal Scottish Academy. Elected to the Royal Academy in London 1808, he exhibited his works at the Institute between 1809-1829, and in 1829 he was elected academician of the Royal Scottish Academy. Though Thomson is best known for his portrait miniatures, there are multiple examples by the artist of oil painted portraits on canvas and wood panel, including his "Self- Portrait," (35 x 30 inches), and "Portrait of Mrs. H. J. Thomson and Son" (11 7/8 x 9 7/8 inches) - both of which are conserved at RSA (Royal Scottish Academy of Art and Architecture).

    Thomson, a prominent figure in the art world, resided in both London and Edinburgh. In 1823, he was nominated to succeed his colleague and fellow Scotsman Henry Raeburn, as portrait painter to King George in Scotland. Thomson would also have been acquainted with Dr. William Somerville and his mathematician wife, Mary Somerville (nee Fairfax). The Somervilles were Scottish figureheads in London society, well associated with the high art and literati circles of J.M.W. Turner, Thomas Phillips, Raeburn and Walter Scott-another Scotsman. In 1834, Phillips painted a portrait of Mary Somerville (conserved in the Scottish National Portrait Galleries) that bears a striking resemblance to the figure depicted in this lot, dated 1837. Executed three years apart, both exhibit the characteristic narrow long face, long nose, high forehead, side ringlets, strong presence and direct gaze; a carved marble bust dated 1840 by Francis Leggatt Chantrey, exhibits equal similarities. What is striking across all extant portraits of Somerville executed between 1830 and 1840 is her youthfulness. For a woman aged 50-60, she has the suppleness and vigor of a woman decades younger; later portraits, dated 1844-1848 by James Rannie Swinton (Scottish, 1816-1888), and later etchings depict the same countenance, slightly more aged, but with the same "jeunesse". In 1829/1830, when Thomson stopped exhibiting at the Royal Academy in London, located then in Trafalgar Square, he was within .5 mile of Roberson & Miller - the leading canvas/panel art suppliers in the country for more than 150 years. The stencil supplier en verso of this extraordinary portrait, located at 51 Long Acre, London, according to the UK National Portrait Gallery, British artists' suppliers, 1650-1950, archive, corresponds directly with the dates of this portrait and the timelines of Thomson and Somerville. They are further confirmed by a 1955 article confirming that a portrait of Mrs. Sommerville [sic] by a famous Scottish artist is indeed the favorite work of Thomson, a musical virtuoso and collector.
  • Condition: Condition is not stated in the description of the item. The absence of a condition report does not mean that the item is free of damage or condition issues. Some items do show signs of age or wear. CCAG strongly suggests that you do not bid without requesting a condition report. Requests for condition reports will not be honored after 5 p.m. CST on the Tuesday prior to the auction.

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September 20, 2025 10:00 AM CDT
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