Sir Joshua Reynolds, P.R.A.

William, 5th Marquess of Lothian;
Thence by descent to his son, Lord Charles Beauchamp Kerr;
Thence by descent to his son, Capt. Beauchamp Kerr;
E. Beckett;
By whom sold to Agnew's, London, 7 September 1899;
By whom sold four days later to George J. Gould;
Thence by descent to the present owner.

Thos. Agnew & Sons, London, 1899, no. 13;
Exposition Universelle, British Pavillion, no. 52.

A. Graves and W.V. Cronin, A History of the Works of Sir Joshua Reynolds, P.R.A., London 1899-1901, Vol. I, pp. 20-1, Vol. IV, p. 1470;
E.K. Waterhouse, Reynolds, London 1941, p. 61;
Agnew's Picture Stockbook no. 4;
D. Mannings, Sir Joshua Reynolds, A Complete Catalogue of His Paintings, New Haven 2000, Text Vol., p. 294, cat. no. 1063, Plates Vol., reproduced fig. 975 (as Untraced).

The picture has an old relining. Overall the painting is in very favorable condition, with almost zero retouches applied. One small retouch along the bridge of the nose can be seen. Parts of the neck and face appear to be under an uneven varnish, but to the naked eye the painting appears very fresh. May be hung as is. In a carved gilt wood frame.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The sitter, born in 1745, was the only daughter of Chichester Fortescue, granddaughter of 1st Lord Mornington. In 1815, she married William John, Earl of Ancrum, afterwards 5th Marquess of Lothian. She died 30 September 1780.

Mannings records the present canvas as an autograph work by Reynolds, possibly the second version of this composition. The recorded prime version, which Reynolds executed in 1769, is now in a private collection.¹

Based on photographs, David Mannings maintains his published opinion that the present work is a second version by Reynolds himself, or at least produced in Reynolds' studio under his supervision.²

1. See Literature, Mannings 2000, cat. no. 1062.
2. Written communication, 10 May 2011.