Handsome Brothers by William Drummond

This pair of ¾-length watercolour portraits shows two handsome brothers: William and Godfrey Armytage. Both are attired in black frock-coats, buff waistcoats and silk cravats and looking relaxed standing on the cliffs with a sea view beyond.

William Armytage (1821-1872) was the second son of John Armytage and his wife Mary (née Assheton). He joined the Royal Navy in 1845 being promoted to captain in 1860. He married Jane Hood of London; they had no children.

Godfrey Armytage (1825-1908) was the third and youngest son. He was a member of the 6th (Royal Warwickshire) Regiment during South Africa’s Frontier Wars of 1847-1853 and was awarded the South Africa 1853 medal. He married Charlotte Emily Blackburn of Cape Town; they had no children. Captain Armytage was then appointed governor of Wakefield House of Correction, a position he held for 52 years. His wife also cared for the discharged female prisoners.

Watercolour over pencil portraits both signed in gold “W. Drummond” and dated 1849 and 1850 respectively. They are set in later narrow gilt metal frames with the original inscribed labels naming the sitters reverse. There is some scattered spotting to both paintings mostly confined to Godfrey’s waistcoat and to the sky area above William.

William Drummond was a painter, draughtsman and lithographer who worked and exhibited in London. Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and the author William Thackeray were amongst his clients.