James Allen

For the sitter, see Ellys DPG441. An inscription on the back of the canvas is no longer visible, but it is recorded in the 1926 Dulwich catalogue as reading: J. Allen, AE 54, 1757, G.G.C. The date should clearly be read as 1737. The initials 'G.G.C.' might be those of the artist. An attribution to Charles Stoppelaer was proposed in 1980, but seems improbable as the artist arrived in London from Dublin only in 1738.