WILLIAM DOBSON and JOHN OPIE

Did you see that wonderful programme about Civil War artist Wiliam Dobson last week?- and did you spot the Opies?
Of all those glorious Dobson paintings hanging in magnificent surroundings, a favourite must be the formidable First Lord Byron (not the poet) with the scar on his cheek.
When it was shown in all its magnificence at Tabley House, Cheshire, you may have noticed there were other paintings on the same wall. Immediately to the left was Opie's THE INFANT SAMUEL while to the right is his COTTAGE GIRLS BY THE FIRESIDE.
Sir John Leicester, who had his country seat at Tabley, was a prominent art collector who encouraged the idea of a National Gallery of British Art for London at a time when there was none.
He was a pallbearer at Opie's funeral.
Both Opie and Dobson are neglected artists today- and both artists had work selected by connoisseur Sir John Leicester!