Mason Chamberlin R.A.

half-length, wearing a dark satin dress with lace collar and cap

Mr and Mrs Edward Everett, The Old Parsonagate, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire (by. 1966) 

STRUCTURE The canvas has been lined. PAINT SURFACE The painting appears to be in very good condition. ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT Ultraviolet light reveals very minor flecks of retouching to the sitter's dress and the background in the upper and lower right. FRAME Held in a carved and gilded neo-classical 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 wife of Robert Butcher, steward and land agent to John Russell, 4^th Duke of Bedford. They were married at St Ethelburga Church in Bishopsgate, London, on the 5^th January 1732. Robert entered the service of the Duke sometime in 1738 and supervised the dramatic expansion of the Bedford estates between 1747 and 1754, securing his patron a commanding political advantage and making him one of the five largest landowners in England, for which he received a not inconsiderable salary of £700 per annum.

Mrs Butcher sat to Chamberlin again in 1778 (Williams College Museum of Art, Williamstown, Massachusetts). The Butcher's were also clearly well acquainted with Thomas Gainsborough. Mr Butcher was portrayed twice; the first hangs alongside the portrait of Mrs Butcher in the Williams College mentioned above, the second is now in the Prado Museum, Madrid. Their son, Thomas, also sat to Gainsborough as did his wife Elizabeth Ives, Mrs Thomas Butcher (the latter sold Sotheby's London, 6th April 1993, lot 48).