Lot 95: Frederick Newenham (1807-1859) 'RICH AND RARE WERE

Frederick Newenham (1807-1859) 'RICH AND RARE WERE THE GEMS SHE WORE', PORTRAIT OF A LADY, 1854 signed and dated 1854 beneath the sitter's left elbow; with F. Gough & Son Picture Framers, Carvers & Gilders, Smethwick, label on reverse also with partial G. Conway, Carver & Gilder label verso oil on canvas laid down on panel 91 by 71cm., 36 by 28in. Exhibited: The Royal Academy, London, 1854, catalogue no. 1084; 'An Exhibition of 18th - 21st Century Paintings', Gorry Gallery, Dublin, 14-31 March 2007, catalogue no. 30, illustrated p. 27 Literature: Algernon Graves, F.S.A, The Royal Academy of Arts, A Complete Dictionary of Contributors and their works from its foundation in 1769 to 1904, Vol. 3., S. R. Publishers Ltd., and Kingsmead Reprints, London, 1970, p. 352 Newenham was an exceptional Cork artist, who has escaped critical attention due to the rarity of his works. Just over two hundred years after his birth it seems appropriate that he finally be given his just deserts as one of the remarkably talent d group of artists to emerge from Cork in the nineteenth century. Although he is not mentioned in standard works such as Crookshank and Glin's Ireland's Painters, he is noted in Peter Murray's history of Cork art as one of the immensely talented artistic family whose members also included Robert O'Callaghan Newenham, the landscape painter and William Newenham of Coolmore, County Cork who combined his role as Superintendent General of Barracks with an active career as a topographical artist. According to Strickland, Frederick Newenham was born in Cork in 1807. Like Daniel Maclise and James Barry he made his name in London where `he achieved some success, becoming a fashionable painter of ladies' portraits'. However he also painted history and anecdotal pictures which he exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1838 to 1885. He died on 21 March 1859. Newenham's technical ability is clearly apparent in this scintillating work which takes its subject from Moore's Melodies, which, of course, also inspired Maclise, Newenham's elder by one year: Riche and rare were the gems she wore And a bright gold ring on her wand she bore But oh! Her beauty was far beyond Her sparkling gems, or snow white wand. An allegory of `Erin's honour and Erin's pride', it tells the story of a young lady of great beauty who 'adorned with jewels and costly dress, undertook a journey alone, from one end of [Ireland] to another, but `such an impression had the laws and government of [King Brien] made on the minds of all the people, that no attempt was made upon her honour, nor was she robbed of her clothes or jewels'. Newenham's picture was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1854 under the title `Riche and rare were the gems she wore'. It shows the young lady preparing for her journey, her jewel box on the table and her looking glass to the left - rather recalling The Lady of Shallot, beloved of contemporary pre-Raphaelite artists. An important work by a rare and under-appreciated Irish artist, illustrating an Irish subject, it invites further study on this forgotten contemporary of Maclise and again demonstrates the vitality of the Cork school. This is the penultimate work exhibited by the artist at the Royal Academy, London. With thanks to the Gorry Gallery, Dublin for their assistance in cataloguing this work.