Rob Hall Antiques

Description

A naive school mid 19th century oil on board of a seated Greenwich pensioner with a wooden leg. The sitter is smoking a clay pipe which is glowing as he puffs aways. A rather good and not often seen subject. To the verso in script are the words “Greenwich pensioner’ and ‘Wilkie’. Sir David Wilkie was a fine portrait artist of the early 19th century and specialised in Greenwich pensioners. This portrait is most likely after Wilkie. Greenwich pensioners were the Royal Navy’s equivalent of Chelsea pensioners,The residents were bound by militarised rules and regulations. Like their contemporaries at Chelsea, they wore a uniform of tricorn hats, albeit with blue coats. Pensioners who broke the rules would have to wear a yellow coat, known as a "canary", and would have to perform menial tasks while wearing this garment. Greenwich pensioners adopted a standardised uniform long before the Royal Navy.
Greenwich pensioners were in residence from 1705 to 1869, and acquired the nickname "Greenwich geese" from the townspeople of Greenwich.

First half 19th century

Sight 15cm x 19cm
Frame 26cm x 29.5cm x 3.75cm


£365