312 - British Provincial School,

British Provincial School, 19th century- Portrait of a gentleman, traditionally identified as a self-portrait of the boxer Jem Ward, wearing a red and white spotted cravat, yellow waistcoat and black coat, and holding paintbrushes and a palette; oil on canvas, 57 x 41 cm. Provenance: Anon. sale, Bonhams, 2 Dec 1965, lot 185 as '19th century English school'. with Sabin Galleries, London. Note: It has been suggested that the present work is a self portrait by the boxer Jem Ward (1800-1884), known as the 'Black Diamond'. Ward was an English bare-knuckle boxer who became Champion of England in 1825, retaining the title until his retirement in 1831. He later settled in Liverpool, where he kept the York Hotel and developed a career as an artist, reportedly receiving instruction from William Daniels (1813-1880). He exhibited in Liverpool in 1846, 1849 and 1850, particularly with sporting and prize-fighting subjects. The suggestion that the present work may be a self portrait is reinforced by the paintbrushes and palette held in his hand, while the bruised knuckles perhaps allude to his former career as a boxer. The present composition recalls an engraving of Ward in the National Portrait Gallery [NPG D42508], in which he wears a similar spotted cravat and coat.