Gilbert Stuart

half length, wearing a dark coat and white jabot

Probably commissioned by the sitter;
by descent to Rupert Charles Scott, 7th Earl of Clonmell;
by descent to his daughter, Audrey Moulie Estelle who married Henry Christian Seymour Coombe, Scardroy Lodge, Scotland;
by decent until bought by the present owner

STRUCTURE The canvas is unlined. There is one small L shaped hole in the lower centre of the canvas, one small tear to the underside of the sitter's chin, and one small hole in the upper left. PAINT SURFACE There painting appears to be in good condition. There is some resultant paint loss to the area where there are holes in the canvas, and there are some minor abrasions in the lower left. Otherwise the painting appears to be in original condition. ULTRAVILET Examination under ultraviolet light reveals an old, discoloured and opaque varnish overall. There are no signs of recent retouching. FRAME Held in a re-gilded period wooden frame. A professional conservator's report on the restoration of this painting is available via the department.
"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."

A judge and politician, the sitter was the third son of Thomas Scott (d.1763) of Urlings, County Kilkenny, and his wife Rachel, eldest daughter of Mark Prim of Johnswell, County Kilkenny. Educated at Trinity College, Dublin, from which he graduated in 1760, he later studied at the Middle Temple and was called to the Irish Bar in 1765.

Dubed 'Copper-Faced Jack' for his tenacity in professional life, his diaries reveal a driven, though private man. In 1767 he married firstly Catherine Maryanne, daughter of Thomas Mathew of Thomastown, County Tipperary, and secondly in 1779 Margaret, daughter of Patrick Lawless, a Dublin banker. By his second marriage he had a son, Thomas (1783-1838) who succeeded him as 2nd Earl, and a daughter Charlotte (1787-1846), who married John Pyndar, 3rd Earl Beauchamp. Scott is recorded as having sat to Stuart (see Sotheby's 2nd November 1965, lot 71) as did both his children (now untraced).