Lot details
17th Century British School ''Sir John Duck's rise to fortune'' oil on panel 84.5 x 113cms; 33 1/4 x 44 1/2in. NB Sir John Duck (c.1632-1691) was born in obscurity, but rose to fame and fortune, according to legend, after a raven dropped a gold coin at his feet. Subsequently he became prosperous and in 1680 served as Mayor of Durham. Active in Politics, he was created 1st Baronet of Haswell-on-the-Hill. This panel which depicts his story, hung originally over the fireplace in the house he built for himself - depicted in the painting lower right. It was demolished in 1963. A pen and ink study of the same subject was sold in these rooms 10th March 1009 (Lot 524). See illustration