Chapter 11: Orrock Esq.
James Orrock biography showing the painting
The Christie’s provenance record showed lot 730 AS: “The property of James Orrock Esq.” Sold in 1904. Orrock had acquired it from Sir John Charles Robinson—Surveyor of Her Majesty Queen Victoria’s Pictures.
Ruskin had been a frequent visitor to Orrock’s home at 48 Bedford Square. He would have had ample opportunity to study the painting during his visits. Kenneth Clark noted the significance.
Orrock was a premier Turner connoisseur—more so than even Turner’s first biographers. The connection was solid. The provenance was golden.
This is an excerpt. Read the full chapter in Art World’s Dirty Little Secret.