George Romney

Commissioned by Henry Arundell, 8th Baron Arundell of Wardour (1740-1808), as a pair to his portrait, to hang at Irnham Hall, Lincolnshire;
Thence by descent to Henry Benedict Arundell, 11th Baron Arundell of Wardour (1804-1862) who married Theresa Stourton (1812-1878), by whom bequeathed to her nephew Alfred Joseph Stourton, Lord Mowbray, Segrave and Stourton (1829-1893), Allerton Park, Yorkshire;
Thence by descent to the present owner.

On loan to York City Art Gallery, circa 1978.

J. P. Neale, Views of the Seats of Noblemen and Gentlemen in England, Scotland and Wales, under '"Irnham Hall", London 1819, vol. II;
H. Ward and W. Roberts, Romney: Essay and Catalogue Raisonné,  London and New York 1904, vol. II, p. 5;
A. Ribeiro, 'Eighteenth-century Jewellery in England', Connoisseur, October 1978, p. 76, reproduced fig. 1;
To be included in the forthcoming catalogue raisonné of George Romney's paintings by Alex Kidson.

The painting is softer in colour and more muted in tone than the catalogue illustration would suggest. The canvas has been sympathetically lined and the paint surface appears to be in very good condition with no apparent damage or loss of paint visible to the naked eye, apart from minor erosion to the canvas edge lower left, most likely caused by an ill-fitting frame. There is also a very minor superficial scratch to the floor lower right, measuring approx. 7 in. however this is only visible under a raking light. Also visible under a raking light is a very minor old horizontal crease running from the right most canvas edge to the area above the sitter's head. There is also old minor discoloured retouching scattered through the background and the curtain as can be seen in the catalogue illustration. There are also localised areas of surface dirt which include some very minor dark flecks on the sitter's face, only visible upon close inspection, and three areas of what appears to be old bird excrement in the background as can be seen in the catalogue illustration which should be remedied with distilled water. The paint surface retains a nice texture and the pronounced impasto remains intact. Examination under ultraviolet light reveals the presence of a discoloured varnish and several campaigns of old but minor cosmetic retouching concentrated in the background which includes infilling to old craquelure in the lower left, and strengthening to the background column and curtain upper left. There is also evidence of what appears to be an old restored horizontal abrasion running for approx. 6 in. from the left hand canvas edge, parallel to the sitter's shoulder. The figure remains for the most part untouched except for some very minor strengthening to the hair and chin. There is also evidence of minor retouching in the flesh tones of the hands and in the red pigments of the velvet train. Offered in a gold painted wood frame in good condition bar some minor discolouration to the paint. 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."

The sitter was born in 1743 and was the daughter of Benedict Conquest of Irnham Hall, and his wife Mary Ursula Markham. She married Henry Arundell, 8^th Baron Arundell of Wardour (1740-1808) on 31^st May 1763.

We are grateful to Alex Kidson for his assistance in the cataloguing of this lot.