Attributed to Sir Joshua Reynolds, P.R.A.

Lieutenant Colonel John Bullock (1731-1809) of Faulkbourn Hall, Essex;
Frederick David Sassoon (1853-1917);
By descent to his daughter Mrs. Paul Wallraf, formerly Muriel Ezra, first wife of Alfred Ezra OBE of Foxwarren Park, Cobham, Surrey;
By descent to Mrs. Raymond Sawyer, née Ruth Ezra, of Chestnut Lodge, Cobham, Surrey.

STRUCTURE The canvas has been lined. PAINT SURFACE The painting appears to be in good overall condition with no apparent damage or loss of paint except for three minor paint losses and an associated area of retouching to the column upper right as can be seen in the catalogue illustration, and a further very minor area of loss in the background parallel to the sitter's left shoulder. In a raking light there are a few scattered minor flecks of retouching concentrated on the right as well as evidence of crazing overall in the varnish along the lines of an old craquelure. Otherwise the painting appears to be in good condition with localised areas of surface dirt i.e. the white mark in the table leg, lower left as can be seen in the catalogue illustration as well as an old varnish overall. ULTRAVIOLET Examination under ultraviolet light confirms the presence of the more recent retouching to the paint losses in the column upper right and confirms the presence of the thick discoloured varnish overall which impedes further inspection. FRAME Held in a gilt wood frame in good overall condition. To speak to a specialist about this lot please contact Julian Gascoigne on +44 (0)207 293 5482, or at julian.gascoigne@sothebys.com, or Ludo Shaw Stewart on +44 (0)207 293 5816, or at ludovic.shawstewart@sothebys.com.
"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."

According to a label on the reverse, the present picture was owned by Lieutenant Colonel John Bullock (1731-1809) who served as a Colonel in the East Essex Militia. A notable patron of the arts, his important full-length portrait by Thomas Gainsborough, set what was then a world record for the artist at auction when it sold in these rooms on 13th June 2002, lot 7, for £2.6m.

The present painting appears to be an undocumented early work by Sir Joshua Reynolds and is similar in handling to a number of his documented pictures from circa 1746-7, including the artists's portraits of Mrs John Palmer (Private Collection), and Miss Elizabeth Eliot (Eastnor Castle).¹

1. See D. Mannings, Sir Joshua Reynolds, A Complete Catalogue of his Paintings, 2 vols., New Haven and London, cat. nos. 573 & 1382.