‘The Arrest of Father Curtis’ by Robert Alexander Hillingford (1825-1904).

The painting – which depicts occupying French soldiers serving the hero of the Catalan resistance Don Patricio Cortés with his arrest warrant – is signed by the artist and is presented in its original 19th century giltwood frame.

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During the Peninsular War - fought between the French forces of Napoleon Bonaparte and the British Army under General Arthur Wellesley (later the Duke of Wellington) allied with Portuguese and Spanish guerillas – numerous priests played an important role in undermining French occupation. Foremost among these was Father Patrick Curtis (1740-1832), an Irish priest and professor at the University of Salamanca, who acted as Wellington’s spymaster and invaluable ally.

Following his arrest in 1811, Father Curtis, aka Don Patricio Cortés, was imprisoned by the French and only narrowly avoided execution. He returned to Ireland in 1813 where, upon the recommendation of his friend the Duke of Wellington, he was made Primate of All Ireland by the Pope.

An extensive account of the life and work of the artist Robert Alexander Hillingford can be found at the News & Articles page of the Academy Fine Paintings website.

Dimensions: (framed) 60cm x 74cm (23½” x 29”).
Dimensions: (canvas only) 47cm x 61cm (18½” x 24”).
Medium: Oil on canvas.
Provenance: Circa 1920; Roaman’s Gallery. Circa 1950; Galerie George, 96-98 George Street, London. Thence in private UK collection.
Presentation: Bespoke gold metal swept leaf frame.
Condition: Very good. Professionally cleaned and re-varnished. Ready to hang.