{"product_id":"alfred-edward-chalon-ra-portrait-of-charles-battye-of-the-gore-kensington-london-merchant-original-mid-19th-century-watercolour-painting-ke-169","title":"Alfred Edward Chalon RA, Portrait of Charles Battye of The Gore, Kensington, London Merchant  – Mid-19th-century watercolour painting","description":"\u003cp\u003eAn original mid-19th-century watercolour painting – Alfred Edward Chalon RA, Portrait of Charles Battye of The Gore, Kensington, London Merchant.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis 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).\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCharles 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBattye subsequently took a position as the Private Secretary to the Earl of Bute.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn watercolour with graphite. On thin card.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Somerset \u0026 Wood","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55696451371337,"sku":"KE-169","price":274.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0930\/4306\/5161\/files\/KE-169_156fb0b9-baa3-45ed-b7f6-3000893870d9.jpg?v=1792673957","url":"https:\/\/somersetandwood.com\/es-eu\/products\/alfred-edward-chalon-ra-portrait-of-charles-battye-of-the-gore-kensington-london-merchant-original-mid-19th-century-watercolour-painting-ke-169","provider":"Somerset \u0026 Wood Fine Art","version":"1.0","type":"link"}