Georgian Naval Oil Portrait c.1760 — Captain Sir Gamaliel Nightingale | Attributed to John Simmons the Younger — Ex Bonhams

Details

Description

A Georgian Statement Piece for the Interior
This distinguished mid-18th-century oil portrait depicts Captain Sir Gamaliel Nightingale (1731–1791) in formal … Read more A Georgian Statement Piece for the Interior
This distinguished mid-18th-century oil portrait depicts Captain Sir Gamaliel Nightingale (1731–1791) in formal Royal Navy dress and is attributed to John Simmons the Younger (Nailsea, 1715–1780). With confident brushwork, a refined tonal palette and a substantial period giltwood frame, the work offers immediate decorative presence as well as documented historical interest — a rare combination prized by designers and collectors on Chairish.

Visual Impact & Decorative Use
Executed circa 1760, the portrait presents a harmonised palette of deep navy, warm gilt and ivory highlights that reads well in both traditional and contemporary schemes. The half-length composition and direct, assured gaze make the painting an effective focal point above a mantel, in a hallway, library or study. The period giltwood frame provides architectural scale and an instant, finished installation — no additional framing required.
Styling note for designers: place the portrait against a deep, matte wall colour to intensify the navy tones and create dramatic contrast with the gilt frame; alternatively, pair with leather seating, dark wood furniture and brass accents for a curated, heritage aesthetic.

Artist & Attribution
Attributed to John Simmons the Younger (Nailsea 1715–1780), a provincial portraitist active in the West Country. Simmons is known for commissioned portraits of gentry and naval officers. As with many provincial painters of the period, canvases were not always signed; attribution here is based on the handling of flesh, costume and metallic highlights, supported by market and catalogue references. Technical testing (UV, XRF, IR) can be arranged on request for institutional buyers.

The Sitter: Captain Sir Gamaliel Nightingale
Born at Kneesworth Hall, Cambridgeshire, on 15 February 1731, Nightingale entered the Royal Naval Academy in 1744 and enjoyed a 35-year naval career. He served on several rated ships, held senior lieutenant posts, and commanded vessels including HMS Badger, HMS Vengeance and HMS Flora. Notably, under his command HMS Vengeance captured the 44-gun French privateer Entreprenant on 13 March 1761. Nightingale’s South Atlantic service is associated with the island later named Nightingale Island, adding a geographic and exploratory dimension to the sitter’s biography.

Provenance & Documentation
Public sale: Bonhams, London — Old Master & British Paintings, February 2024 (Lot 9). Catalogued as from a private European collection since at least c.1990. The Bonhams lot label is present on the verso. Archival research links Captain Nightingale to Cambridgeshire estate records (Chesterton Terrier, 1768), strengthening sitter identification and regional context. High-resolution scans of the Bonhams catalogue entry and verso label are available for serious buyers.

Dimensions & Installation
Canvas: approx. 76.7 cm (H) × 63.6 cm (W)
Framed: approx. 92.75 cm (H) × 79.0 cm (W) × 5.5 cm (D)
Hangs securely on two fixings recommended; suitable for standard and high-ceiling rooms.

Why This Work Fits Chairish Buyers
Immediate decorative authority: period frame and strong palette create a ready-to-install centrepiece.
Historical narrative: named sitter with verified naval service and archival links — ideal for buyers seeking pieces with provenance and story.
Cross-appeal: suits interiors, maritime enthusiasts, and collectors of Georgian portraiture.
Market validation: documented public provenance through Bonhams reinforces market confidence.

Chairish Tags & Keywords
Georgian portrait, naval portrait, Captain Sir Gamaliel Nightingale, John Simmons the Younger, 18th-century oil painting, giltwood frame, Bonhams provenance, Kneesworth Hall, maritime art, mantelpiece statement See less