Bernard Hailstone 1957 British Civic Portrait - Frederick Leslie Wallis OBE, Mayor of Maidstone

Bernard Hailstone 1957 British Civic Portrait - Frederick Leslie Wallis OBE, Mayor of Maidstone An Evocative Mid-Century Portrait of a Maidstone Mayor in Scarlet Ceremonial Robes Highlights: * Bernard Hailstone, British, 1910-1987 * Traditionally identified as Frederick Leslie Wallis OBE, JP * Mayor of Maidstone during 1956-57 * Signed and dated 1957 * Original oil on canvas * Historic Maidstone civic regalia * Gold mayoral chain with heraldic badge * OBE and military and service decoration group * Kent County Council Archives research * Later light oak frame Introduction A richly characterful example of British mid-century civic portraiture by Bernard Hailstone. Painted in 1957, the sitter is traditionally identified as Frederick Leslie Wallis OBE, JP, who served as Mayor of Maidstone during 1956-57. Wallis is portrayed seated formally in brilliant scarlet robes trimmed with fur and wearing the substantial gold chain and armorial pendant of office. Catalogue Details: Artist: Bernard Hailstone (1910-1987) Sitter: Traditionally identified as Frederick Leslie Wallis OBE, JP (1896-1962) Office: Mayor of Maidstone, 1956-57 Date: 1957 Medium: Oil on canvas Signature: Signed and dated lower right "B. HAILSTONE 57" Frame: Later light oak frame Catalogue Note: Several details within the painting provide persuasive support for the traditional sitter identification. The civic pendant carries Maidstone's historic arms, while the date corresponds with Wallis's term as mayor. His documented OBE and First World War service are likewise compatible with the decorations shown. Kent County Council Archives investigated the identity in 2023 and proposed Wallis as the likely sitter. The absence of a surviving original commission record means that the identification remains appropriately qualified as traditional. The Sitter: Born in Maidstone in 1896, Frederick Leslie Wallis served in France during the First World War before returning to the family firm G. E. Wallis & Sons Ltd. He later became a director and achieved national prominence within the British building industry. Wallis was appointed OBE in 1947 and served as Mayor of Maidstone in 1956-57. Contemporary evidence also records his involvement as mayor in the successful 1957 appeal to recast the bells of All Saints', Maidstone. The Civic Regalia and Decorations: The portrait records the sitter in scarlet civic robes with broad fur trimming, gold chain and Maidstone heraldic pendant. The decoration formerly described as an MBE should instead be identified as Wallis's OBE. Further medals appear to comprise a First World War Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal, Defence Medal and Special Constabulary Long Service Medal. A final Elizabeth II-era service medal remains unidentified. The Artist: Bernard Hailstone trained at Goldsmiths' College School of Art and the Royal Academy Schools. During the Second World War he became associated with the Firemen Artists and subsequently received official war-art commissions. His later portrait career encompassed prominent figures from British political, military, cultural and civic life, including Sir Winston Churchill. Provenance: Earlier provenance presently untraced. Kent County Council Archives research correspondence dated 6 October 2023 retained with the painting. Thereafter Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®. Certificate of Sale & Dealer Attribution: The artwork will be supplied with a Certificate of Sale & Dealer Attribution issued by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®, recording the artwork's catalogue details, attribution, provenance as stated, and details of the sale. This document accompanies the work as part of its ongoing ownership and provenance record. Attribution and Research: The historical observations, provenance research, attribution analysis and contextual commentary presented within this catalogue entry represent the professional opinion of Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®. They are offered in good faith as informed scholarly assessments based upon the available evidence, comparative research, published reference material and our experience within the international fine art market. These observations should be understood as professional opinions rather than definitive statements of fact or guarantees of authorship, attribution, date, origin, provenance or historical interpretation. Future documentary discoveries, technical examination, conservation analysis or advances in academic research may refine, expand or revise current interpretations. Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD® Specialising in carefully curated British and European fine art, antiques and historic works of art. Every artwork is professionally researched and catalogued using comparative scholarship, published reference material and more than two decades of experience within the international fine art market. Additional photographs and further information are available upon request. **Bringing History Into Your Home.**