Andrew Geddes A.R.A.

By descent from the sitter to his sister Catherine Winifred Weld (d. 1862) who in 1800 married William Joseph Stourton, 18th Baron Stourton (1776-1846) of Allerton Park, Yorkshire;
Thence by descent to the present owner.

London, Royal Academy, 1832, no. 308 (as 'His Eminence Cardinal Weld')

H. Smailes, Andrew Geddes 1783-1844 'A Man of Pure Taste', exhibition catalogue, Edinburgh 2001, p. 77.

STRUCTURE The canvas has been lined. PAINT SURFACE The painting appears to be in good overall condition with no apparent areas of damage or loss of paint. There is some very minor bitchumising apparent in the darker background pigments and there is evidence of what appears to be very minor scattered flecks of black paint on the sitter's forehead and right cheek, however these are only noticeable upon close inspection, along with one fleck of white paint by the canvas edge upper right. Otherwise there appears to be a thick varnish and scattered surface dirt overall, however the paint surface appears to be in good original condition and the canvas structurally sound. ULTRAVIOLET Examination under ultraviolet light reveals the presence of more very minor flecks of more dark paint scattered in the background. There is also evidence of a very minor campaign of old retouching lower right, however the figures appear to be untouched. Ultraviolet confirms the present of a thick discoloured varnish overall that impedes further inspection. FRAME Held in a large gilt wood 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, 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."

Born in 1773, the eldest son of Thomas Weld of Lulworth Castle, Dorset, the sitter married, Lucy Bridget, second daughter of Thomas Clifford of Tixall in 1796. Following her death in 1815 he took Holy Orders and was appointed a Cardinal by Pius VIII, becoming the first English Cardinal since Phillip Thomas Howard (1629-1694). Occupying splendid apartments in the Odescalchi Palace he played an influential role in managing English affairs with the Pope, and subsequently acted as Cardinal Protector of the English College in Rome (see M. Bence-Jones, The Catholic Families in Britain 1778 to Present, for a full account of the sitter's life).