George Romney

Commissioned by the sitter's father, General Spencer Cowper (c.1721-1795), in 1780, and by descent to the sitter's brother, Henry Cowper, of Tewin Water, Hertfordshire;
The Rev. Henry Madan Pratt, by 1904;
Purchased from the above for £250 in 1904 by Francis Thomas de Grey, 7^th Earl Cowper (1834-1905), Panshanger, Hertfordshire;
By descent at Panshanger to his niece, Ethel Grenfell, Lady Desborough (1867-1952);
By descent to her daughter, Monica, Lady Salmond (1893-1973), wife of Sir John Maitland Salmond (1881-1968);
By descent to their daughter, the Hon. Rosemary, Lady Ravensdale (d.1991);
Sold by order of her executors, London, Christie's, 24 November 1998, lot 42, for £37,000, to the present owner.

H. Ward and W. Roberts, Romney, London and New York 1904, vol. II, p. 34 (as a portrait of Spencer);
To be included in the forthcoming Catalogue Raisonné of the paintings of George Romney by Alex Kidson. 

STRUCTURE The canvas has been lined. PAINT SURFACE The painting appears to be in good condition, with no apparent extant damages or loss of paint. There is some very minor frame abrasion to the upper edge of the canvas, where it has slipped slightly in the frame. ULTRAVIOLET Examination under ultraviolet light reveals a small number of extremely small, minor retouchings to the sitter's cravat. There are signs of some very minor older retouchings in the background, upper left, which do not show up under UV, however the painting appears to be largely untouched and in very good, original condition. There is an old opaque varnish overall which has been partially removed from the head and body of the sitter. FRAME Held in a carved and gilded Rococo style wooden frame. To speak to a specialist about this lot please contact Julian Gascoigne on +44 (0)207 293 5482, or at julian.gascoigne@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."

This beautifully reserved and tranquil portrait of the young George Cowper, son of General Cowper, was painted in 1780, when Romney was at the peak of his artistic prowess. It is typical of the artist's work of the period, with its air of sombre elegance and rapidly painted background, which lends an element of drama to the picture.

In November 1775 Romney had taken a calculated gamble. Having recently returned from Italy he acquired the expensive lease on Francis Coates's old house and studio on the south side of Cavendish Square. The gamble paid off and by the early 1780s he was the most fashionable portrait artist in London. It also was during this period that he first made the acquaintance of Emma Hart, the mistress and later wife of Sir William Hamilton, who would become Romney's greatest muse.  

Five sittings are recorded for this portrait in Romney's sitter books, between July and December 1780. The artist received payment of 18 guineas from General Cowper (c.1726-1797), for his son's portrait on 22^nd December 1780.