John Flaxman, R.A.

Estimate

10,000 - 15,000 USD

bidding is closed

Description

John Flaxman, R.A.
Portrait of Delvalle Elizabeth Rebecca Lowry (1800-1860)
Inscribed on the original mount Flaxman lower right, inscribed Delvalle Lowry lower left and further later inscribed Delvalle Elizabeth Rebecca Varley (1800-1860)/ (Daughter of the Engraver Wilson Lowry/ & 2nd wife of John Varley) on the reverse of the mount
Pencil on wove paper
6 3/4 x 5 1/4 inches

Provenance

Wilson Lowry (1760-1824), the sitter's father
Spink, London
W.M. Brady & Co., New York
Acquired from the above, 1993

Exhibited

Morgan 2001, no. 47
Yale 2010, no. 191

Condition

This work has carefully presented. The sheet has been laid down and this appears to have been done by the artist himself. There is surface dirt, scattered minor foxing and slight staining to the sheet overall. The pencil medium remains strong and clear. For further information on this lot please contact either Mark Griffith-Jones (mark.griffithjones@sothebys.com - 0044207 293 5083), Emmeline Hallmark (emmeline.hallmark@sothebys.com - 0044207 293 5407) or Nancy Bialler (nancy.bialler@sothebys.com - 001 212 606 7222).
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Catalogue Note

The sitter was the daughter of Wilson Lowry, an engraver and founding member of the Geological Society, and Rebecca Eliza Delvalle (1761-1848). The sitter (like both her father and mother) became an authority on geology and in 1822 published Conversations on Mineralogy. In 1825 Delvalle married the artist John Varley (1772-1842), as his second wife, who had been a friend of her father since 1802. She went onto publish Rudimentary Treatise on Mineralogy. This charming drawing is thought to date from circa 1815 when the sitter was between ten and fifteen years old and originally formed part of a sketch-book of drawings of other family members by Flaxman.