Sir Joshua Reynolds P.R.A. 1723-1792

half length, wearing a red uniform and a blue coat, both with gold braiding

W H Durant-Thatcher, of Clent Hall, near Stourbridge;
by descent to the husband of the late owner

Wolverhampton, Art & Industry,1902 (as by George Romney)

J.P. Neale, Views of the Seats of Noblemen and Gentlemen, in England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, 6 vols, 1819-23, ii (s.v. "Tong Castle");
A. Graves and W.V. Cronin, A History of the Works of Sir Joshua Reynolds, 1899-1901 Vol 1, p.270;
Country Life, 31st  December 1964, p.1798;
D. Mannings, Sir Joshua Reynolds; A Complete Catalogue of his Paintings, Text Volume p. 174, no. 545. Plates Volume p. 324, fig. 699

STRUCTURE The canvas has been lined. PAINT SURFACE There appears to be some re-touching to the face, and some re-touching to the darker clothes. There is some surface dirt and cracquelure is consistent with the age of the painting. ULTRAVIOLET Ultraviolet light reveals there to be light scattered re-touching, but generally in good original condition. FRAME Held in a gilt carved 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. 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 second son of the Reverend Josiah Durant, rector of Hagley, Worcestershire, and his wife Ann, daughter of George Hand of Lichfield. His father, brother and grandfather were rectors of Hagley, home of the Lyttelton family, but Durant fell foul of the Lytteltons probably at least in part because he had an affair with Elizabeth, wife of George Lyttleton in about 1756. Durant instead worked in the Pay Office, and in 1758 he acted as deputy-paymaster to the expedition against Guadeloupe, and in 1762 as paymaster to the expedition against Havana. He returned from Havana a rich man, and the size of his fortune as well as the short time in which he amassed it remains a puzzle. In 1764 he bought the Tong estate from the Duke of Kingston. He demolished all but the main block of Sir Harry Vernon's castle and rebuilt the rest according to his own design, a mixture of Gothic and Moorish architecture. He was Member of Parliament for Evesham (1768-1774) and died in August 1780. He is buried in St. Bartholomew's church at Tong among tombs of the Vernons. The portrait was probably painted in 1763, and it is referred to as "Mr Durant Junior" in Reynolds's Ledger. A first payment of 10 gns is recorded in the Ledger on or soon after 7 Aug. 1761, and a second payment of the same sum on 1 Aug. 1763.