Lemuel Francis Abbott (c.1760-1782)

Portrait of John Sims, Esq. (London Shipping Merchant)
Oil on Canvas
29 1/2 x 24 1/2 in.

PROVENANCE:
Christies, London, February 9, 1968 (lot 66, 30 gns., bt. Klein)

(FRANCIS) LEMUEL ABBOTT (c.1760-1802) born Leicestershire, circa 1760 to the son of a clergyman, who may have been the Rev. Lemuel Abbott, Vicar of Thornton. At an early age, he studied under the artist Francis Hayman (c. 1708-1776), but after Hayman’s death he then completed his studies at home.  In 1784, he settled in London.  He exhibited 15 pictures at the RA 1788-1800.  Abbott had a very successful practice, especially with navel officers and government officials. His most well known portrait is Admiral Nelson.  He consistently produced a crisp, yet sensitive portrait.  His female portraits are less common. Abbott married in 1787 a woman of ‘very absurd conduct’, which was said to have contributed to his own instability, and by July 1798 he was certified insane and never recovered. Even in dementia, he was able to produce portraits through 1800.  He eventually died 5 December 1802 in London.