George Romney

three quarter length, seated on a green upholstered chair, wearing a red suit with yellow embroidered waistcoat

By descent to the sitter's daughter, Elizabeth who married Sir George Denys;
by descent to their daughter Juliana Louisa Denys, who married Arthur Montague;
by descent to their son Leopold Agar Denys Montague;
by descent until sold, Sotheby's London, 13th July 1994, lot 55

H. Ward and W. Roberts, Romney, 1904, Vol II, p. 94;
to be included in the forthcoming catalogue raissoné of George Romney by Alex Kidson

STRUCTURE The canvas has been lined. PAINT SURFACE The picture appears to be in excellent, original condition. ULTRAVIOLET Ultraviolet light reveals very minor scattered re-touchings concentrated above the head, to the upper body and left of the sitter's face. There has also been some infilling of the cracquelure to the face. FRAME Held in an early Neoclassical 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."

'When I enter his house I tremble with I know not what! I can scarce believe my Eyes! Such Pictures! And the Pictures of such People! I am lost in wonder & astonishment how all these things should be!'[1]

This is a rare portrait in Romney's oeuvre, as it is both signed and dated. Painted with remarkable and exquisite attention to detail, Lind is seated in the most nonchalant and confident of poses, glancing casually towards the viewer. The sitter's character is superbly complemented by the finesse with which Romney portrays the delicacy of the lace and embroidery of his attire and the skill with which he represents the silk damask of the chair on which Lind is seated. This portrait advertises in every possible way the richness and wealth of the sitter and Romney as the artist par excellence for such a portrayal.

Lind's family wealth was derived from the drapery business. The sitter was the son of Captain Francis Lind of the 14th Regiment of Foot and his wife Elizabeth, daughter of Major Montague Farrer. On 9th November 1786 he married Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Dr. James Ainslie. Both Dr and Mrs Margaret Ainslie, Edward's brother Francis as well as Elizabeth sat to Romney. Edward and Elizabeth had two daughters, the eldest, Elizabeth, was born in 1787 and married Sir George Denys, Bt., equerry to the Duke of Sussex, this portrait passed down through her family. The younger daughter, Margaret was born in 1789 and married Sir Emanuel Agar, M.P. for Sudbury.

The Lind's family seat was Gorgie near Edinburgh, but by the date of this portrait the Linds were established in Romney's native Westmoreland at Barton, as well at Strafford Place, London.  Romney had recently returned from Italy and ambitiously taken at great expense, Francis Cotes' house in Cavendish Square, London. This was a deliberate attempt to firmly establish his presence as the society portrait painter of the day. Cavendish Square was home to fashionable people of new wealth. Furthermore, as Alex Kidson reveals, by 1783 no less than 15 portraitists exhibiting at the Royal Academy gave their address as Cavendish Square, confirming the attractiveness of the location in the wake of Romney's meteoric rise to popularity.

[1] Josiah Green to Ozias Humphrey, letter of 10^th December 1776, Humphry Mss., HU2/37, Royal Academy Library. As quoted in A. Kidson, George Romney, 2002, p. 23, ft. 83.