{"product_id":"portrait-of-sir-robert-peel","title":"Portrait of Sir Robert Peel","description":"\u003cp data-end=\"677\" data-start=\"114\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"194\" data-start=\"114\"\u003eEnglish School - Antique Oil Portrait of Sir Robert Peel, Early 19th Century\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"197\" data-start=\"194\"\u003eOriginal early 19th-century oil on canvas portrait depicting\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-end=\"289\" data-start=\"258\"\u003eSir Robert Peel (1788–1850)\u003c\/span\u003e, the distinguished British statesman who served twice as Prime Minister and is widely regarded as the founder of modern policing in Britain. This handsome antique portrait presents Peel as a young man, seated beside a table with papers and inkstand, framed by rich red drapery and a classical column in a manner characteristic of formal Regency and early Victorian political portraiture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1186\" data-start=\"679\"\u003eThe composition has strong decorative and historical appeal. The red curtain, architectural column and writing table all serve to emphasise status, intellect and public office, while the sitter’s assured pose gives the work a striking sense of presence. These traditional devices place the portrait firmly within the visual language of early 19th-century British portrait painting, where statesmen and professional men were often shown in composed, dignified interiors rather than against plain backgrounds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1758\" data-start=\"1188\"\u003eAs a portrait of\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-end=\"1224\" data-start=\"1205\"\u003eSir Robert Peel\u003c\/span\u003e, the painting carries particular historical interest. Peel remains one of the most important political figures of 19th-century Britain, remembered for his role in national reform, his period as Home Secretary, his service as Prime Minister, and his lasting association with the creation of the police force from which the terms “Peelian principles” and “bobbies” ultimately derive. Portraits of Peel continue to attract interest from collectors of British political history, antique portraiture and early 19th-century decorative art.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2223\" data-start=\"1760\"\u003eArtistically, the head is the strongest and most carefully handled area of the painting, with pleasing attention given to Peel’s expression and facial features. The smaller cabinet-scale format gives the work versatility, making it especially suitable for display in studies, libraries, hallways or traditional interiors. It also has strong appeal as a conversation piece, combining political history with the visual charm of a well-composed antique oil portrait.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2736\" data-start=\"2225\"\u003eThe painting has been professionally cleaned and now presents far more clearly than it would have done beneath its previous discoloured surface. There is age-related wear consistent with the work’s period, including slight craquelure, an uneven varnish layer, a visible scrape to the upper section which has been infilled, and a small repaired area near the eye which has been patched and retouched. Even so, it remains an attractive and displayable antique portrait with real character and historical presence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2977\" data-start=\"2738\"\u003ePresented in a gilt frame and ready to hang. A genuine and original\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-end=\"2854\" data-start=\"2806\"\u003e19th-century oil painting of Sir Robert Peel\u003c\/span\u003e, ideal for collectors of antique British portraits, political memorabilia, Regency art and historical interior decoration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3788\" data-start=\"2979\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"2991\" data-start=\"2979\"\u003eDetails:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"2994\" data-start=\"2991\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"3005\" data-start=\"2994\"\u003eMedium:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eOil on canvas\u003cbr data-end=\"3022\" data-start=\"3019\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"3033\" data-start=\"3022\"\u003eArtist:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eEnglish School\u003cbr data-end=\"3051\" data-start=\"3048\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"3061\" data-start=\"3051\"\u003eTitle:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ePortrait of Sir Robert Peel\u003cbr data-end=\"3092\" data-start=\"3089\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"3118\" data-start=\"3092\"\u003eUnframed Picture Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e25 × 18 cm\u003cbr data-end=\"3132\" data-start=\"3129\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"3156\" data-start=\"3132\"\u003eFramed Picture Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e35 × 29 cm\u003cbr data-end=\"3170\" data-start=\"3167\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"3179\" data-start=\"3170\"\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eEarly 19th century\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3201\" data-end=\"3215\"\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eProfessionally cleaned and presented in stable vintage condition. The surface shows slight craquelure, together with an uneven varnish layer. There is a visible scrape to the upper section which has been infilled, and a small repaired area near the eye which has been patched and retouched. The work remains presentable overall, with condition commensurate with age. Some minor losses to the top of the frame.\u003cbr data-start=\"3582\" data-end=\"3585\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3585\" data-end=\"3595\"\u003eFrame:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ePresented in a gilt frame. Ready to hang.\u003cbr data-start=\"3637\" data-end=\"3640\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3640\" data-end=\"3650\"\u003eLabel:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eOld handwritten label verso reading “Robert Peel Prime Minister of England 1788–18…” The label appears to be cut off before the end date.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3790\" data-end=\"3869\"\u003eThis is a genuine, one-of-a-kind original artwork, not a print or reproduction.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"63Arts Edinburgh","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53606235865429,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1038\/7170\/9525\/files\/PeelCleanPlate.jpg?v=1775320679","url":"https:\/\/63arts.co.uk\/products\/portrait-of-sir-robert-peel","provider":"63Arts Edinburgh","version":"1.0","type":"link"}