George Romney

half length, wearing Windsor uniform

by descent from the sitter to his nephew William Cuningham, 10th Laird of Craigends;
by descent to Helen Laura Pearson;
Her sale, Christie's London, 27th October 1961, lot 38 (bt. Leger Gallery for 2400 gns);
The Estate of the Late W H Pitts, by whom sold Sotheby's London, 4th July 2001, lot 40

H. Ward & W. Roberts, Romney, 1904, Vol. II, p. 98;
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 condition. ULTRAVIOLET Ultraviolet light reveals minor retouching and strenghthening to frame abrasion marks around the edges and minor flecks of scattered re-touching. There is also a minor area of restoration to the upper left of the picture. FRAME Held in a late Carlo Maratta 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 MacDowalls (MacDoualls) of Castle Semple in Renfrewshire were a branch of the MacDowalls of Garthland in Galloway. The first William (1687-1748) bought the Castle Semple and the estate from Hew, 11th Lord Semple in 1727. William McDowall, the sitter in this portrait, was the eldest child of William MacDowall and his wife Elizabeth Graham. McDowall was a non-practising lawyer, concerned mainly with the management of the family estates and West Indian enterprises. He spent the majority of his life based in Scotland pursuing his political career becoming M.P. for Renfrewshire and later Lord Lieutenant. In 1790 William Adam reflected on his character; 'Mr McDowall of Garthland, is a man universally well liked, and has great industry and good sense. Mr Pitt's ministry are surely under obligations to him.''[1] He was commemorated by a plaque in Paisley Abbey and his nephew William inherited his estates.

There is a sitting listed for a 'Mr McDougal,' and payment of 18 guineas recorded in 1776. This suggests it was painted following Romney's return from Rome where he may have met McDowall who had undertaken his Grand Tour between 1771 and 1773.

[1] See M. McDowall, The Copper Inheritance; A History of the kindred of Mc Dowall of Scotland, 2001 and Sir L. Namier and J Brooke, The House of Commons 1754-1790, 1985, p. 83