Lot 115: William Wood (Suffolk 1769 - London 1810)

A pair of portraits of Sir William Beaumarris Rush and Lady Rush: he, wearing blue coat, white waistcoat, stock and frilled cravat; she, wearing white dress with frilled collar and gold braid waistband tied in a bow, a white open turban in her powdered hair
he signed on reverse and dated and inscribed Sir Wm Beaumarris Rush/ Born Sept 1st 1750/ by Willm Wood/ Cork St. London, ormolu frame with stamped borders
Oval, 87mm. (3 7/16ins.) high (2)

H.M., 1999
P.A., 1999
S.N.P.G., 2000-2003

W. Wood, Memorandum of Miniatures Painted and Finished by William Wood, 1790-1808, nos. 5624 and 5445 respectively
S.P.N.F., nos. 73 & 74

Wood's sitter books record the present two lots as 5624 Mr William Rush of Pall Mall. 3rd size July Find 13 Nov 1798 Decr About 48 - 62 red - coat of 6 - Hume's white: 120 - sun burnt but fair Complex. = 104 - Breath'd on - some red chalk - Light varied background - gum touches - Powdered hair. and 5445 Mrs Rush of Wimbledon: in a white dress & open turban - averted dark eye - Gold cord round waist - silver behind head - Cro in girdle - 8th size about 35. M's white Find 14 Sep 1796 Decr 15th.. Another version of William Rush's portrait also appears in the sitter book as no. 5973 and is complimented by a small tracing in red ink. This was begun in February 1803 and finished the following June.
William Rush of Elsenham Hall, Hertfordshire, was knighted 19 June 1800. Another portrait of Rush, attributed to John Jackson, was sold Sotheby's, 19 & 20 February 1997.