Sir Thomas Lawrence P.R.A. 1769-1830

half length, seated, wearing a black coat and waistcoat with a white cravat 

Sir John Whittaker Ellis, Lord Mayor of London, by whom sold Christie's London, 21 February 1913, lot 35, by whom sold bt. Nicholson for 85gns;
with Ehrich Galleries, New York (by 1927);
Mr. and Mrs. George D. Pratt, New York; 
The sale of the Pratt estate, American Art Association New York, 15-16 January 1937, lot 376, bt. Arthur R. Botham for $400;
His sale, Sotheby's New York, November 28, 1962, lot 29;
Anonymous sale, Christie's London, 23 November 1984, lot 90 (bt. by the late owner)

K. Garlick, Sir Thomas Lawrence, 1955, p. 54;
K. Garlick, `A Catalogue of the Paintings, Drawings and Pastels of Sir Thomas Lawrence,' Walpole Society, 1964, vol. XXXVIII, p. 160;
K. Garlick, Sir Thomas Lawrence, A Complete Catalogue of the Oil Paintings, 1989, p. 251, no. 643

STRUCTURE The canvas has been lined. PAINT SURFACE The painting appears to be in good condition. The colours have remained strong, and the paint has retained much of its original depth. There is some cracquelure in keeping with age to the centre right of the painting, which has been strengthened. There is a vertical line of re-touching upper right, about six inches in length. Overall the painting is in very good condition.. ULTRAVIOLET Ultraviolet light reveals some light scattered re-touching to the background, and a small area of re-touching to the lower left of the painting. FRAME Held in an ornate 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. 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."

Spencer Perceval, 7th son of the Earl of Egmont, led the Tories as Prime Minister from 1809 until his assassination in 1812.  Perceval was a talented scholar who was called to the bar after Cambridge and was appointed Attorney General in 1802.  His time as Prime Minister was a difficult and challenging one as he faced great opposition both from the Whigs and his own party.  Perceval was frustrated in his attempt to create his own cabinet when the post of his former office of Chancellor of the Exchequer was rejected by five of his colleagues.  Finally he was forced to take the job himself in order to complete the cabinet, eschewing a salary in an impressive display of disinterestedness.  His new government was defeated no less than four times in its first week in session but despite these drawbacks he managed, through great strength of will and an undisputed talent for debate (a speech calling for the removal of the Duke of York from the chief command of the army lasted three hours), to pass and block a number of important bills.  He vehemently opposed the Catholic Emancipation movement, preventing its passing through parliament, but supported Wilberforce in the abolition of the slave trade, passing the bill during his term as Prime Minister.  On the 11th May 1812 Perceval walked through the lobby of the House of Commons on his way to a committee.  John Bellingham, a man whose plea for legal assistance while under arrest in St Petersburg the Prime Minister had rejected, put a pistol to Perceval's heart and fired, killing him instantly.