Portrait of a Naval Officer, Possibly Rear Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood

Unknown owner, by December 17, 1936 [1];

Purchased from the unknown owner’s sale, Sketches & Studies for Miniature Portraits by John Smart: Miniatures, Objects of Vertu and Coins, Christie, Manson, and Woods, London, December 17, 1936, lot 60, as by English School, Portrait of a Nobleman, said to be Admiral Lord Collingwood, by Arthur, London, 1936 [2];

Mr. John W. (1905–2000) and Mrs. Martha Jane (1906–2011) Starr, Kansas City, MO, by 1958;

Their gift to The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, MO, 1958.

Notes:

[1] In the Christie’s December 17, 1936 sale, “Different Properties” sold lots 53–75.

[2] “English School: Portrait of a Nobleman, said to be Admiral Lord Collingwood (1750–1810); Portrait of a Gentleman, said to be Sir Samuel Romilly (1757–1818); and Portrait of a Gentleman, said to be William Pitt – (three).” According to the annotated auction catalogue, “Arthur” bought lot 60 for “2 – 10.” The vague English School attribution, as well as the suggestive title, may explain the uncertain artist and sitter identification of the Nelson-Atkins portrait. At least two other miniatures from this sale are currently in the Starr Collection; see John Smart, Portrait of Mr. Sharrock, ca. 1785, F58-60/141, and John Smart, Portrait of Colonel Clement Winstanley, 1780, F65-41/21.