Thomas Gainsborough, R.A.

Descended in the Ponsonby family, Stansted Park, Emsworth, Sussex and Bessborough, Piltown, co. Kilkenny, until 1916;
With Reinhardt Galleries, New York;
From whom purchased by John Willys, New York, 1921;
Thence by descent to Isabel van Wie Willys;
Her deceased sale, New York, Parke-Bernet Galleries, 25 October 1945, lot 27, to Spingold;
Nate B. Spingold, New York;
By whom sold, New York, Parke-Bernet Galleries, 2 March 1950, lot 36, to Altman & Kullen.

E.K. Waterhouse, Gainsborough, London 1958, p. 88, cat. no. 593 (as unfinished).

The following condition report has been provided by Simon Parkes of Simon Parkes Art Conservation, Inc. 502 East 74th St. New York, NY 212-734-3920, simonparkes@msn.com, an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. This painting has been reasonably effectively restored, and further attention is not necessarily encouraged. The canvas has a fairly recent American lining. The paint layer is stable and clean. There appears to be a thin break in the hair, above and to the left of the forehead. There is a circular restoration in the lower left that may attend to a small loss. A milky varnish is visible under ultraviolet light in many areas within the remainder of the picture. There are fairly extensive, but mostly accurate, retouches addressing some abrasion in the chest, face and hair. The dress is in better condition. The background is very difficult to read either under ultraviolet light or with the naked eye.
"This lot is offered for sale subject to Sotheby's Conditions of Business, which are available on request and printed in Sotheby's sale catalogues. The independent reports contained in this document are provided for prospective bidders' information only and without warranty by Sotheby's or the Seller."

Lady Catherine Ponsonby was the daughter of William, 3rd Earl of Bessborough (1704-1793) and Lady Caroline Cavendish, daughter of the Duke of Devonshire. She married on 4 May 1783, to Aubrey, 5th Duke of St. Albans.

We are grateful to Hugh Belsey for supporting the attribution to Gainsborough, based on photographs. Mr. Belsey will include this picture in his forthcoming catalogue raisonné on the works of Gainsborough.