English School

head and shoulders, wearing a green dress with white lace and a red shawl, a white lace cap and pearls 

STRUCTURE The canvas has been lined. PAINT SURFACE The painting appears to be in good condition. ULTRAVIOLET Examination under ultraviolet light reveals scattered minor retouching, predominantly to the sitter's nose and to one small area on her left shoulder. FRAME Held in a British Baroque 'Queen Anne' style 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."

This charming and delicately painted portrait is a prime example of the circle of artists working in England in the 1740's. The identity of the sitter bears a striking similarity to Sir Henry Gough's daughter in the portrait of the Gough Family Taking Tea by William Verelst (currently on loan to the Victoria & Albert Museum). Furthermore,  Professor Aileen Ribeiro confirms that the date of her dress is early 1740's.

Sir Henry Gough was a merchant who had built his fortune on trade with India and China, hence the reference in the Verelst portrait to the family partaking in the then rather exotic practise of taking tea. Sir Henry was also ambitious enough to be consolidating his wealth through the acquisition of land and manorial lordships and titles and was created a baronet in 1728. His first son Henry (1749-1798) became Member of Parliament for Bramer, and following his inheritance of his uncles estates at Calthorpe was also later elevated to the peerage in 1796 as Baron Calthorpe of Calthorpe in Norfolk. Sadly little information survives on the daughters of Sir Henry Gough. We do know that Sir Henry married firstly, Catherine daughter of Sir John Harpur, 4th Baronet of Calke, Derbyshire and secondly in 1741, Jane Barbara, daughter and heir of Reynolds Calthorpe of Elvetham, Hampshire. The sitter in this portrait is possibly a daughter from his first marriage.