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‘The Siege of Oxford’ by Robert Alexander Hillingford (1825-1904).
The painting – which depicts an envoy of Sir Thomas Fairfax delivering terms of surrender to the Royalist capital city’s commanders – is signed by the artist and presented in a fine quality gold metal leaf frame. The loss of Oxford was the final blow for King Charles I and the Royalist cause and signalled the end of the English Civil War.
In May of 1646 the Parliamentary forces of Sir Thomas Fairfax repeatedly attempted to secure the surrender of the Royalist garrison at Oxford. In his diaries, Sir William Dugdale noted that on the evening of May 30th, 1646; "Sir Thomas Fairfax sent in a Trumpet(er) to Oxford with articles concerning the delivery thereof." The scene depicts the moment the young trumpeter has his blindfold removed so that he can deliver Fairfax’s terms to the Royalist commanders. Seated at the table, left to right are; Prince Rupert of the Rhine, Sir Thomas Glemham (Governor of Oxford), and Prince Maurice of the Palatinate.
- We would like to thank Colonel Nicholas Lipscombe FRHistS, Dr David J. Appleby FRHistS, Lecturer in Early Modern British History, Nottingham Trent University, Simon Marsh, Battlefield Research and Threats Coordinator at the Battlefields Trust, and Professor Martyn Bennett, B.A. (Hons), PhD. F.R.Hist.S. for their assistance in the identification of the subject of this painting.
All of our paintings are offered in the finest condition they can be for their age having been newly professionally cleaned, conserved, and re-varnished. Clients should also note that tracked and signed for international shipping is complimentary.
Robert Alexander Hillingford was a highly successful Victorian painter of historical and literary scenes who became most famous for his portrayals of the Napoleonic Wars. Between 1864 and 1902 Hillingford exhibited 29 works at the Royal Academy, and numerous others the British Institution and the Royal Society of British Artists in London.
Further Reading: ‘The Hillingford Chronicles’, a detailed account of the life and work of the artist, is now available via the News & Articles page of the Academy Fine Paintings website.
Dimensions: (framed) 72cm x 99cm (28¼” x 39”)
Dimensions: (canvas only) 51cm x 76cm (20” x 30”)
Medium: Oil on canvas.
Provenance: Private UK collection.
Presentation: Newly commissioned bespoke gold metal leaf frame. All of the new frames we commission are especially made for us to order by one of the UK’s top period frame makers.
Condition: Very good. Newly professionally cleaned, restored, and re-varnished. Ready to hang.