Johann Zoffany, R.A.

Comissioned by the sitter and thence by family descent to the present owner.

The picture is in very good condition overall. The canvas has a firm relining but the paint surface is not too pressed and the impasto in the details is well- preserved. The paint surface is covered by a dirty opaque varnish visible under UV light, and surface dirt. A 6 inch horizontal tear in the lower part of the desk leg has been repaired, as has another smaller tear in the rug centre, possibly resulting from the same accident. These are visible under close inspection. There is some light strenghtening in the sky upper right corner visible under UV light, and a small number of other minor scatttered retouchings. A gentle clean by a restorer would undoubtedly enhance the qualities of this already very attractive picture.
"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 a Doctor of Divinity and Rector of St Erme, near Truro, in Cornwall, who lived at Trehane Barton, near the village of Probus. The son of John Stackhouse (d.1734), rector of Boldon, in County Durham, and a younger brother of the theologian Thomas Stackhouse (1677–1752), in October 1738 he married Catherine Williams, daughter of John Williams and his wife Catherine Courtenay, a descendant of the Earls of Devon. Their second son, John Stackhouse (1742–1819), was an influential botanist and classical scholar who built Acton Castle, near Penzance.

We are grateful to Dr Martin Postle for endorsing the attribution following first hand inspection, and for suggesting a date of circa 1766–67. Both stylistically and in terms of the interior furnishing, the picture can be compared to Zoffany's portrait of Richard Dalton, with his wife and their niece Mary (Tate Britain, London).