Monumental Edwardian Oil Portrait Painting (1 of a Matching Pair!) Exceptional

This is a magnificent, monumental original oil on canvas portrait painting depicting Mary Temple Rose Clarke (d.1913), wife of Major-General Sir Stanley de Astel Calvert Clarke, GCVO, CMG (1837–1911). Please note: We are also offering the impressive companion portrait depicting her husband, Major-General Sir Stanley de Astel Calvert Clarke – please see our other listings. This imposing society portrait is signed “Kelly” in the lower left corner and is attributed to Sir Gerald Festus Kelly KCVO PRA (1879–1972), the distinguished British portrait painter who later became President of the Royal Academy. The remarkably lifelike portrait depicts Mary Temple Rose Clarke in a formal standing three-quarter-length pose. She is portrayed as an elderly lady with grey hair, wearing an elaborate white lace veil or headdress and a sumptuous deep red/orange dress. Her hands are gently clasped before her, holding a pair of delicate metal-framed spectacles. The restrained pose, beautifully observed facial features and rich colouring give the portrait considerable presence and dignity. The painting is housed within its huge and highly impressive giltwood and gesso moulded frame, richly ornamented with scrolling vine and foliate decoration. The scale and quality of the frame complement the grandeur of the portrait superbly. Signed lower left: “Kelly”. The Sitter – Mary Temple Rose Clarke Mary Temple Rose was the daughter of The Rt. Hon. Sir John Rose, 1st Baronet, and his wife, Charlotte Temple. On 15 September 1867, she married Major-General Sir Stanley de Astel Calvert Clarke, GCVO, CMG (1837–1911), son of Colonel John Frederick Sales Clarke. Her husband enjoyed a distinguished military and court career, making the survival of these two large companion portraits particularly interesting. Mary survived her husband by approximately two years and died on 28 March 1913. The opportunity to acquire a monumental pair of companion portraits depicting a prominent Victorian/Edwardian military figure and his wife is increasingly uncommon, and the paintings make a particularly striking historical statement when displayed together. Attributes: Oil on Canvas Artist: Sir Gerald Festus Kelly Circa: Early 20th Century Condition: Both the painting and the huge gesso moulded frame are offered in an overall excellent original condition. ^^ Fast & Free UK Delivery Included^^ *A Certificate of Authenticity (COA) will be provided by artsonline with this piece* Delivery Artsonline UK ships worldwide daily, using only fully insured, priority, and fully tracked delivery services. Great care and much time are taken over the safe transportation of the Fine Art and Antique pieces that we sell. We pack extremely carefully, so you can rest assured that your piece will arrive with you in perfect condition. For larger paintings, antique furniture pieces, and fragile items that can not be sent via the normal postal services, we use professional door-to-door delivery providers, who will always strive to deliver your piece promptly, within approx. 7-14 working days. Returns Policy Artsonline provides a genuine no-quibble 14-day money-back refund policy (excluding the cost of Postage and Packaging). Pay securely - Telephone orders are welcome. Image result for payments accepted logos Secure-Payment-Vpadeb-sa-la-goJJ-th-et-an-gt-0068986-BACS-Order-PayPal-M/Card