Lot Essay
This is a replica of an oil of the same title, executed in 1817 and exhibited at the Royal Academy of that year, no. 329. Born in Edinburgh, Allan entered the Royal Academy Schools in 1803. In 1805, having failed to establish a reputation, he travelled to Russia, where he was to remain until 1814. On his journey he ventured beyond what were then the borders of the Russian Empire, visiting Tartary, the Crimea, Circassia and Turkey. There he amassed a large collection of ethnic costumes and artefacts, which were subsequently incorporated into his paintings. The oil was sold from the collection of the Rt. Hon Lord Charles Townshend at Christie's London, 11 April 1835, lot 28 (46 gns.) and was probably purchased there on behalf of Robert Vernon. The Vernon Collection was given to the nation in 1847, and the oil can now be seen in the Tate Gallery. We are grateful to Robin Hamlyn for his help in preparing this entry.