Lot 94: Abraham Bruiningh van Worrell

Abraham Bruiningh van Worrell
1787-1849
a gentleman and two ladies taking breakfast
signed l.l.: A.B. van Worrell fecit/1819
oil on panel, in a carved wood frame
76 by 62.5 cm., 30 by 24 1/2 in.
The young couple are taking breakfast under the supervision of her mother. He reads a copy of the Times, she a book whilst the older lady pours coffee to accompany the ham which has attracted the attention of a pet dog. The young couples' feet appear to be touching, safely out of sight of the older lady. Through the doorway a maid prepares to bring in hot water.
Abraham van Worrell was born in Holland, settling in England in the early nineteenth century where he exhibited at the Royal Academy and the British Institution from addresses in London and later in Newcastle. He was a member of the Academies of Belgium and Holland. His portrait of George IV's giraffe, painted in 1828, was sold at Sotheby's on 16th November 1983 for £40000.