About this lot

Description

Charles Pierre Verhulst (Belgian, 1774-1820) Portrait of Christian Cortwright Walterstorff (1790-1823), his shako and an architectural plan of a fortress beside him signed lower right "C P Verhulst fecit / Bruxelles 1804" oil on canvas 94 x 79cm (37 x 31in)
Provenance: Sotheby's, London, 22 November 1989, lot 284; where purchased by the late vendor Burfield Hall, Wymondham, Norfolk Other Notes: The colour and pattern of the tunic, the pattern of the helmet and the 'clocks' on the front of the sitter's breeches are that of a Danish Cavalry Regiment. The sitter seems to be the Danish Captain Count Christian Cortwright von Walterstorff (1790-1823), who served in the Danish cavalry and was the son of Major General Count Frederick von Walterstorff (1755-1820). It is possible that Christian Cortwright was in uniform at the age of 14 (many were at that time), possibly in a Court cadet unit (like the Corps des Pages in Russia), although it is more likely that the portrait is aspirational - a proud military papa having his son depicted as the officer he was to become. The face is certainly that of a boy rather than a young man. At the date of the painting, Count Frederick was in command of the Northern Zealand Land Regiment and responsible for the defences of Copenhagen. It is possible that the sitter is holding a plan of Copenhagen's defences. We are grateful to Christopher Joll for his assistance with the catalogue entry.
Old Christie's stencil - PM 984 - to the reverse. Old repaired tears. One small hole to the left of the sitter's head.

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