David Martin (1737-1797) Portrait of Captain Charles Kerr of Buchtrigg and Calderbank (1753-1813), half length, wearing the uniform of the Royal Edinburgh Volunteers, his right arm resting on a ledge Oil on canvas 75 x 60cm Provenance: The Kerr family; Sworders, 27 April 2010, Lot 661, where acquired by the vendor; Wood Hall, Arkesden, Essex. David Martin was born in Anstruther Easter, Fife; a portrait painter and engraver, he was taught by Allan Ramsay in London, and subsequently travelled with him to Rome. He established his own studio in Edinburgh in the 1770s and became the most important portrait painter in Scotland before Henry Raeburn. He was appointed portrait painter to HRH The Prince of Wales in Scotland. David Martin's sitters included members of the Scottish Enlightenment and other society figures. His portrait of Benjamin Franklin (1767) hangs in the White House, Washington DC, USA. Condition report: Oil on canvas which has been lined. The canvas is in plane with good tension. The paint layer is stable overall but has been slightly softened and flattened during the lining process. There is extensive retouching in the sitter's face which is a warmer pink than the original flesh paint. There is also retouching in the background. The varnish is even but dull and yellowed with a light layer of surface dust. The gilding on the frame is very worn with losses around the sides.