AFTER GEORGE STUBBS

Footnote
Lord Clive, Governor of Bengal, also known as Clive of India, gifted a female Indian or Bengal Tiger to George Spencer, 4th Duke of Marlborough for his menagerie at Blenheim palace in 1762/63. Blenheim Palace records show that the tiger was in the menagerie by 1763 and that the Duke was conscious of supplying it with an ample supply of food, with bills indicating that 24lbs of meat was delivered every two or three days for the tiger's consumption, at three shillings a time, as well as the odd head (presumably a cow's) for an additional fourpence. Indeed, the tiger had its own account, headed 'Meat for the Tiger'.

George Stubbs painted three versions of a Portrait of the Royal Tiger, all in the same pose but on different scales. Presumably the first was the one commissioned by the 4th Duke of Marlborough, thought to be around 1763-68, measuring approximately 100 x 124cm, which still hangs in the private apartments at Blenheim.
Another is known as the Portman version, named after the pictures' former owner, Viscount Portman, acquired at Stubbs' Studio Sale in 1807, it was sold by the The Trustees of the Portman family at Christie's, London, 8th June 1995, lot 64. This is the largest of the three versions measuring an impressive 139.7 x 215.9cm.
Finally, there is the Mellon version, named so as it forms part of the Paul Mellon Collection. Measuring 61.4 x 72.9cm, it is now at the Virgina Museum of Fine Arts (Object No. 99.95). 

The picture on offer for sale here is an excellent copy, thought to date from the 19th century, after one of the original works by Stubbs. Similarities of the tiger's features and the composition of the foliage and background suggest it may be a copy after the Blenheim version, although it is quite normal for copyists to add or omit small details, therefore it is difficult to be certain.

Condition report
The picture was sent by the vendor's father to Arthur Ackermann & Peter Johnson Ltd. in the 1990s, who arranged for reframing, cleaning and restoration. Their label appears on the back of the stretcher from this time. It was sent for these purposes only and not to be put up for sale.

The canvas is lined.
Traces of craquelure visible throughout.
Inspection under uv light reveals various areas of retouching to the craquelure; also restoration to surface abrasions, including lower right and to the Tiger's neck.
An opaque varnish prevents further reading.
The work appears very presentable and is in 'ready to hang' condition.

The present work will be on view at Cromwell Place, SW7 2JE, 21 & 22 March, 11am-5pm