Alfred Edward Chalon RA, Portrait of Charles Battye of The Gore, Kensington, London Merchant – Mid-19th-century watercolour painting
Alfred Edward Chalon RA, Portrait of Charles Battye of The Gore, Kensington, London Merchant – Mid-19th-century watercolour painting
Alfred Edward Chalon RA, Portrait of Charles Battye of The Gore, Kensington, London Merchant – Mid-19th-century watercolour painting
Alfred Edward Chalon RA, Portrait of Charles Battye of The Gore, Kensington, London Merchant – Mid-19th-century watercolour painting

Alfred Edward Chalon RA Portrait of Charles Battye of The Gore, Kensington, London Merchant

An original mid-19th-century watercolour painting – Alfred Edward Chalon RA, Portrait of Charles Battye of The Gore, Kensington, London Merchant.

This elegant and sensitive portrait by the leading 19th-century portraitist Alfred Edward Chalon RA (1780–1860) depicts C. Battye, presumed to be the prominent London merchant Charles Battye (1781–1852).

Charles Battye was the son of John Battye of Norfolk Street, Strand. He was descended from the Battye family, prominent in trade and mill-owning in Yorkshire.

In 1804 he held a commission as Ensign in the Kensington Volunteers. A leading city merchant, he reportedly claimed ownership over a large proportion of the island of San Domingo. He ultimately lost his fortune when during the revolutionary turmoil of the island, Battye actively backed Henri Christophe (referred to in British records as 'Christopher, negro ruler of that island'). Christophe was a key general in the Haitian Revolution who eventually crowned himself King Henri I of northern Haiti. Battye freighted an entire fleet of ships loaded with a military regiment, weapons and equipment to assist Christophe's regime. However, the French Fleet captured his ships before they could successfully deliver the aid.

Battye subsequently took a position as the Private Secretary to the Earl of Bute.

In 1801 he married Jane Letitia Crispin (1775–1862) and they lived at The Gore, Kensington. Their children included Rev William Wilberforce Battye (1822–1890), presumably named in honour of the abolitionist politician William Wilberforce (1759–1833), who lived at Gore House, Kensington from 1808 to 1821.

This handsome portrait appears to be a fairly early work by Alfred Edward Chalon RA, likely painted in the first or second decade of the 19th century, based on the sitter's age and clothing with hair queue. Chalon entered the Royal Academy Schools in 1797. In 1808 he joined the short-lived Associated Artists in Water-Colours, then he made his official debut exhibiting a picture at the Royal Academy in 1810. He was elected an Associate of the Royal Academy in 1812 and a full Academician in 1816. He is best known for his association with Queen Victoria and his appointment as Portrait Painter in Watercolour to Her Majesty.

In watercolour with graphite. On thin card.

+ Read the Artist Research

Alfred Edward Chalon RA (1780–1860)

Alfred Edward Chalon RA (1780–1860) was born in Geneva but moved with his family to London at the time of the French Revolution. His father was hired as professor at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, and Alfred entered the Royal Academy Schools in 1797. His brother, John James Chalon (1778–1854), also became an artist.

Chalon established a reputation as a society portraitist in London, becoming an Associate of the Royal Academy in 1812 and a full academician in 1816. He came to the attention of Queen Victoria, who commissioned him to paint a gift to her mother in 1837: Victoria in her state robes going to the House of Lords for her first official act, the prorogation of the Parliament. He was the first artist to whom the queen sat after her accession and Chalon was subsequently appointed Portrait Painter in Watercolours to Queen Victoria. His portrait of the young queen was used on early issues of colonial stamps.

Bachelors, the Chalon brothers lived together. Alfred died at Campden Hill, in Kensington, London in 1860 and was buried with his brother in Highgate Cemetery.

COA
+ Artwork Details

Dimensions: Height: 22cm (8.66") Width: 16.8cm (6.61")

Presented: Unframed.

Medium: Watercolour

Age: Mid-19th-century

Signed: Signed lower centre

Inscribed: Inscribed lower right.

Dated: --

Condition: Some age toning and marks, most pronounced towards the edges of the sheet, which could be covered by a mount. Some staining verso. Please see photos for detail.

Stock number: KE-169