Early Georgian Scottish Military Portrait Of Sir James Campbell C1720

**Early Georgian Scottish Military Portrait of Sir James Campbell, Attributed to William Aikman**

A commanding early Georgian Scottish portrait combining distinguished military history with exceptional country-house presence.

Sir James Campbell of Lawers and Rowallan is shown in a brilliant scarlet military coat over an elaborately decorated waistcoat and white neckcloth.

Probably dating to circa 1720, the portrait may represent Campbell during his period as Colonel of the Scots Greys.

The attribution is particularly interesting. The National Galleries of Scotland holds an accepted portrait by William Aikman of the same sitter, while Aikman enjoyed extensive documented patronage from the wider Campbell political and aristocratic circle.

The present painting additionally retains an older frame plaque naming William Aikman and an apparent historic “Wm Aikman” attribution verso.

Sloane Street Auctions, London, independently catalogued the work as Attributed to William Aikman on 3 July 2024, Lot 183.

Campbell later became Lieutenant-General, Governor of Edinburgh Castle and Knight of the Bath. He was mortally wounded during the Fontenoy campaign in 1745.

**Provenance**

Earlier provenance presently unrecorded.

Sloane Street Auctions, London, 3 July 2024, Lot 183.

Acquired from the above by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®.

**Dimensions**

Canvas approximately 76.2 × 64.8 cm.

Overall approximately 91.5 × 78.5 × 4.5 cm.

**Shipping**

Worldwide shipping is available.

Owing to the substantial dimensions and weight of the framed portrait, it will be professionally packaged using appropriate protective materials and dispatched fully insured.

International buyers are welcome. Please contact us for a destination-specific delivery quotation or to discuss any particular shipping requirements.

**Certificate of Sale & Dealer Attribution**

The artwork will be supplied with a Certificate of Sale & Dealer Attribution issued by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®, recording the artwork’s catalogue details, attribution, provenance as stated, and details of the sale. This document accompanies the work as part of its ongoing ownership and provenance record.

**Attribution and Research**

The historical observations, provenance research, attribution analysis and contextual commentary presented within this catalogue entry represent the professional opinion of Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®. They are offered in good faith as informed scholarly assessments based upon the available evidence, comparative research, published reference material and our experience within the international fine art market.

These observations should be understood as professional opinions rather than definitive statements of fact or guarantees of authorship, attribution, date, origin, provenance or historical interpretation. As with all historic works of art, future documentary discoveries, technical examination, conservation analysis or advances in academic research may refine, expand or revise current interpretations.

**Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®**

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