Wellings, William (SCC Newsletter June 1996)

A Wreck of a Wellings!

Above are two photographs of a country landowner and his dog by Mr. Wellings. The first is of the work as it appeared in the Sale at Sothebys Billingshurst on 3rd. April, 1996. It was lot 1705 and described as "A gentleman signed William & dated 1793 painted on paper shown standing full-length beside a tree, wearing a hat, coat, breeches buttoned at the side, riding boots with spurs the coat & hat heightened in white an adoring dog at his feet & holding a cane - rubbed at centre fold, rectangular 26 cms ebonised frame." Estimate 150 - 250. It could not have been a better description of the work except it was not by William and was not dated 1793. In the event it made £380 on the hammer inspite of it's poor condition. The signature turned out to be W. Wellings 1783.

The second photograph is of the work after the paper conservationist had done some 'work' on it. Firstly she removed the white highlights that had clearly been added by a previous owner no doubt in an attempt to make it look more 'lively'. Secondly she removed the very acidic backing paper and lightly 'washed' the whole work in order to stabilise it for the future. Finally she strengthened the partial 'tear' and applied a suitable backing paper. She noted that gum arabic had been used to show details of jacket collar, buttons and cuffs. She took the view that the gum arabic was 'original' and had not added by another hand. Unfortunately it does not show-up on the photograph as it has faded considerably over the years. Mrs. McKechnie took the view that Mr. Wellings did not use gum arabic for his full-length figures (see page 449) - only on his bust-length works.

Clearly the work has been ill-used - possibly folded in half and put in a drawer. The backing paper is seriously 'rubbed' - but little can be done about this. It has not been cut down as it measures 10 ins. by 8 ins. There are odd specks where paint has been lost from the figure & dog - but inspite of all it still remains an attractive work. The cost of the silhouette and the restoration amounted to just under £500 but the owner considered it well worth it in order to be the owner of a full-length Wellings -albeit something of a 'wreck'!