#1030 -Description – “The Gay Grenadier” – Antique painting by John Seymour Lucas (1849 – 1923)

Title: “The Gay Grenadier” Also known as “The Proposal”

Signature: signed lower right, titled to plaque
Style: Victorian,
Medium: Oil On Canvas
Size: 20″ x 16″ in.  Frame: 28″ x 24″ in.
Age of this artwork: (1849 – 1923)
Condition: Good condition with age cracks on the surface.  The liner on the frame have age spots.
Color: Colorful
Provenance: A Los Angeles, CA Estate
This artist sales records: In 2007 as high as $10,000BGP Click here for example

History and Significance: 

John Seymour Lucas RA was a distinguished Victorian English painter and costume designer, known for his historical and portrait artworks. Born into an artistic family in London, he initially trained as a woodcarver before transitioning to portrait painting. He studied at the St. Martin’s Lane Art School and later at the Royal Academy Schools, where he met his wife Marie Cornelissen, also an artist.

Lucas’s artistic journey was enriched by extensive travels across Europe, particularly in Holland and Spain, where he immersed himself in the works of Flemish and Spanish masters. He began exhibiting his paintings in 1872 and steadily gained recognition. Elected as an associate member of the Royal Academy in 1886, he attained full Royal Academician status in 1899.

Renowned for his historical genre paintings, Lucas demonstrated a remarkable talent for realism, particularly in portraying costumes and interiors. Inspired by artists like van Dyck and Velázquez, he depicted scenes from British history, including the Spanish Armada, the English Civil War, and the Jacobite rebellions.

One of his notable works, “Rebel Hunting after Culloden” (1884), garnered widespread acclaim for its vivid depiction of tension and realism. Lucas’s circle extended to prominent figures like John Singer Sargent, with whom he formed a close friendship.

Lucas’s portfolio includes significant commissions for public buildings and royal clients, such as “The Flight of the Five Members” for the Houses of Parliament and “The Granting of the Charter of the City of London” for the Royal Exchange. In addition to over 100 oil paintings, he was recognized for his contributions as a set and costume designer in the theatrical realm.

Throughout his career, Lucas remained active in various artistic circles, residing in London and later in Blythburgh, Suffolk, where he retired. He passed away in 1923, leaving behind a legacy of artistic excellence. His son, Sydney Seymour Lucas, also pursued a career as an artist and illustrator.

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