Joseph Walter West (British, 1860-1933) Portrait of David Wilson Esq. oil on canvas 127 x 112.5cm (50 x 44 5/16in). Footnotes: Provenance Collection of the Hull and East Riding Hospital Trust. Their sale, Gilbert Baitson Auctioneers, Hull, 9 July 2025, lot 6. Joseph Walter West was born into a Quaker family, the son of Alfred West, a seed crusher and corn dealer, and Sarah Ann West (née Petchell). He initially worked as a cashier for the engineering firm Priestman Brothers in Hull, during which time he began studying art at Bootham School, York. Having saved enough to pursue his ambitions, West moved to London in 1883 to undertake formal training at the St John's Wood Art School and subsequently at the Royal Academy Schools. He later continued his studies in Paris at the Académie Julian, reflecting the broader trend among British artists of the period to seek continental instruction. West's talent was recognised early in his career; in 1887 he was awarded a silver medal by the Royal Academy for a drawing from life. His professional standing continued to rise, and in 1893 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of British Artists. He was later elected to the Royal Watercolour Society in 1904, serving as Vice President between 1918 and 1920. In addition to his work as a painter and watercolourist, West contributed to the visual culture of early twentieth-century London through the design of seven posters for London Underground between 1916 and 1931. His works are often distinguished by a distinctive monogram incorporating a weathervane pointing west alongside the letters of his surname. For a period, West lived in the North Craven area of North Yorkshire, particularly in the vicinity of Settle. During his time there, he painted a number of portraits depicting local families and figures, offering a valuable insight into the character and community of the region. The present work, executed in 1889, portrays David Wilson Esq. (1815-1893), a Justice of the Peace and a longstanding member of the Board of Management at Hull Royal Infirmary. Wilson was also a member of the prominent Wilson family, founders of the Wilson Line, which, at its height, constituted the largest shipping enterprise in the world. This portrait was part of the collection of Hull Royal Infirmary, where it remained on display for many years. Its institutional provenance underscores both the sitter's significance within the civic and medical life of Hull and the recognition afforded to West as a portraitist of notable local figures. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing