77: PORTRAIT OF DR. PERCIVAL POTT ATTR NATHANIEL HOLLAND

Nathaniel Dance-Holland (1735-1811) Attributed
Portrait of Dr. Percival Pott (Circa 1770)
The three-quarter length portrait depicts Dr. Pott in red academic robe and formal white wig seated beside a table with leather bound volumes. Doctor Pott lived from 1713 to 1788. Judging by his age at the time of sitting, this portrait dates to around 1770.

An previous appraisal of this painting references a letter from the London art dealer Frost and Reed indicating that, according to the Royal College of Surgeons, this painting was painted by Sir Dance Holland also known as Nathaniel Dance-Holland (1735 - 1811). Neither of these letters are extant at the time of cataloging. This unsigned painting is displayed in a gilded gesso and wood frame of similar age.

Dr. Percival Pott was a pioneering figure in the field of surgery during the 18th century. He is also highly regarded for his contributions to the understanding of occupational diseases like Chimney Sweeps' Carcinoma, where he identified soot as the cause of chimney sweeps' occupational cancer. Some sources also associate his findings with the discovery of tuberculosis. He was one of the founders of orthopedics and eponyms like ''Pott's cancer'' and ''Pott's fracture'' continue to be associated with his name in the medical literature. The term Pott's Fracture actually derives from an injury the doctor himself suffered when thrown from a horse riding down Kent Street in Southwark in 1756. Suffering a compound fracture of the leg, but still conscious, he knew as a surgeon that it was often rough and improper treatment at this stage of an injury that prevented proper healing and lead to amputation. He waited on the cold January ground until a door could be delivered and fitted with carrying poles so he could be removed lying down. His attendants carried him through Southwark over London Bridge to Watling Street near Saint Paul, where he lived, and a consultation of surgeons thought the case so desperate that immediate amputation was the only answer. Doctor Pott prevailed and the leg was saved. To this day, this type of ankle fracture is still referred to as 'Pott's Fracture.' During his convalescence, Dr. Pott began his writings and went on to publish a number of books on the practice of surgery. In 1764, he was elected a fellow of the Royal Society of Surgeons.
Canvas measures 50 x 40.25 with a framed size of 56 x 46.25 inches.
Very good to excellent condition with very little inpainting, original stretchers and canvas, not re-lined. There are three small areas of retouch to the background left of the figure approximately 18 inches down from the top of the picture, plus a small triangular area at the very bottom of the picture just right of center.
Provenance: The collection of Dr. William Potts of Dallas, Texas by descent to the estate of a Lawrence, Kansas couple.
$4,000 - $6,000