Studio RT Ltd

Description

This is a wonderful bust length portrait oil on canvas of Captain Richard F. Britten, later Rear Admiral, by an unknown artist. The portrait depicts a bearded Captain Britten in uniform but hatless and has been inscribed on the back of the canvas Captain R. F. Britten RN May 1883. He is wearing the Second China War Medal.

The Second China War Medal was issued by the British Government in 1861 to members of the British and Indian armies and Royal Navy who took part in the Second Opium War of 1857 to 1860 against China. The medal was designed by William Wyon.

Richard Frederick Britten was born on 26th May, 1843, the son of Daniel Britten JP. He entered the Royal Navy at the young age of 13. He was gazetted to a cadetship in 1857, was appointed Sub-Lieutenant in 1863 and Lieutenent in June 1865. He was appointed Commander in 1875 and Captain in 1881. He went on half pay from 28/7/1885 till 30/11 1888, after which he commanded HMS Agincourt from 1/12/1888 - 7/8/1892, after which, on the 10th August 1892, he was placed on the Retired List at his own request. He was appointed a Rear Admiral on the Retired List in 1896.

Some highlights of his career include, serving in China as a Midshipman in 1858 on board the Retribution, where he was present at the bombardment of Nanking and received the Second China War Medal, which he is wearing in the portrait. He was presented with a pin by Queen Victoria while a Lieutenant on the Royal Yacht Alberta for assisting in saving a life during a collision between the Royal Yacht and yacht Mistletoe. On 10/3/1884, Capt. Britten was appointed command of HMS Minotaur as flag captain to Vice Admiral the Duke of Edinburgh, who was the second son of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. He served in this position unti 27/7/1885.

On 26th July, 1890 Captain Britten married the Hon. Blanche Cecile Colville (1857-1940) of 42 Eaton Place, the daughter of Charles John Colville, Viscount Culross. They were married at St. Peters, Eaton Square, Pimlico. They had two sons Captain Forester Cecil Robin Britten (1893, Kenswick, Worcestershire - 1972 Isle of Wight). Captain Charles Richard Britten MC (1894 Kenswick, Worcestershire - Worcestershire 1984) and Violet G. Britten born 1898. Capt. Charles Britten was commissioned in August 1914, won his Military Cross in November 1916. He was appointed Lt. Colonel in 1935 and Brigadier in 1937. He retired from the 4th Battalion Grenadier Guards in 1946. He was also an OBE.

In 1892, his father Daniel Britten of 7 Hanover Terrace, London, left £384,000 the majority to be split between Richard and his brother Forrester. This inheritance may well be the reason he left the Navy, as well as to raise his family in the country home he inherited from his father - Kenswick House, Kenswick, Martley, Worcestershire. He took a great interest in agriculture and has also been Chairman of Worcester Chamber of Commerce. In 1895, he was nominated for Sheriff of Worcester. He was a Justice of the Peace, and Deputy Lieutenant of Worcester in 1899. Member of the County Council & Education Committee, Martley Board of Guardians and District Council and High Sheriff for Worcester in 1897. In the 1901 Census, he was living at Kenswick with his wife and children and 9 servants, which is explained by the size of the house and estate. He died at Kenswick House,on the 3rd February, 1910, 30 years before his wife Blanche, leaving £277,381.

The painting has been newly framed in a 5" suitably masculine frame, which suits the portrait well. It will be supplied with new brass picture wire and brass fittings and will be ready to hang.

Image size: 23 1/2" x 19 1/2" - 59.7cm x 49.5cm

Frame size: 34 1/4" x 30" - 87cm x 76.15cm

Medium: Oils on canvas

Condition: Very good. The canvas is clean and taut and has only a modicum of very fine craquelure and no stretcher marks. The frame is new. Please note that the painting is on a canvas that has been applied over an old and apparently unfinished work, it has not been relined. The artist then inscribed the back with the details of the sitter.