John Michael Wright

By descent from the sitter to Lady Alice Evelyn Browne (1877-1970), who married John FitzGerald Mahon (1858-1942);
By descent to their son, Sir Dennis Mahon (1910-2011);
By whom bequeathed, in 2010, to the present owner.

London, Royal Academy, Exhibition of Scottish Art, 1939 (lent by Lady Alice Mahon).

The painting has a firm relining that has slightly flattened the paint surface, although some of the impasto in the embroidery of the lady's dress is retained. There is an old layer of dirt under the thick, glossy, discoloured varnish that is a tone yellower than the catalogue illustration suggests. There are some patches of restoration, all of which are visible to the naked eye; i.e. along the upper edge of the doves wing, in the lady’s ear and in the fabric covering her right forearm. There is an 8in horizontal, restored old tear from the paintings left edge to the lady’s right elbow and a smaller restored reverse C-shaped tear in the lower right on the upper edge of her skirt fabric. There is some abrasion along the lower margin and some patches of minor abrasion in the wing of the dove and the blue fabric above. Inspection of the paint surface under UV light confirms the aforementioned patches of restoration but further analysis is made difficult by the thick varnish that would mask any earlier work. The details of the flowers, the embroidery, and the lady’s face appear to be in good condition and overall the painting would be greatly enhanced by a good professional clean. This lot is offered unframed.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The sitter was the daughter of Francis Browne, 3rd Viscount Montagu (1610–1682) and his wife Lady Elizabeth Somerset (1618-1684), daughter of Henry Somerset, 1st Marquess of Worcester (1590-1646). She married Christopher Roper, 5th Baron Teynham (d. 1689).

We are grateful to Dr Duncan Thompson for endorsing the attribution on the basis of photographs.