Mr Halliwell on Horseback

Charles Towne (Wigan 1763 – Liverpool 1840). Oil painting on canvas, Mr Halliwell on Horseback by Charles Towne (Wigan 1763 – Liverpool 1840), signed and dated Chas Town Pinxt 1794. A full-length equestrian portrait, on a bay cob, riding to the left. He is wearing a blue coat with red collar. A town in the distance, left. 1910 guidebook says 'Mr Halliwell of Pyke House' record p.7 neg.9. The sitter was probably a relation of the Green family. A portrait of a Mrs Halliwell (1840) is also among the pictures now at Treasurer's House. The picture is unsatisfactory in that the dark form of the horse presents too strong a contrast with the background . The sky, which is pale mauve to white, has some resemblance to paintings by Stubbs in which the artist has used enamel colours and which have probably suffered under restoration. This technique, which is fluid and somewhat watercolour in its effect, has not always resisted the attentions of restorers. It is possible that Towne, who is here emulating a Stubbs type of composition, may also have adopted a similar technique. Treasurer's House, North Yorkshire