Sir Edwin Henry Landseer, R.A.

Sale, London, Sotheby's Belgravia, 30 March 1982, lot 200 (as a study for Harvest in the Highlands);
Sale, London, Christie's, 22 February 1985, lot 61;
Sale, London, Bonhams Knightsbridge, 20 March 1997, lot 1;
With Peter Johnson, 2000.

This sketch is in excellent condition with only some very minor retouchings in the face. The original impasto is perfectly preserved.
"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 charming head study is likely to have been executed by Landseer during the 1830's, a period during which he produced a great many similarly fluid sketches. It was a decade during which Landseer was at his most prolific and producing some of his best works. The success of his painting was matched by his social success, and he spent much time as a guest of aristocratic patrons for whom he often painted their children and pets. Landseer is known to have repeatedly painted the children of his most prominent patrons, John Russell, 6^th Duke of Bedford and his wife Lady Georgiana, Duchess of Bedford (who was rumoured to be Landseer's lover). Lady Louisa Russell, later the Duchess of Abercorn, was the second of the Bedford’s three daughters and the physiognomy of the girl in the present sketch is comparable to that in other known depictions of her by Landseer. (See for example A. Graves, Catalogue of the Works of the late Sir Edwin Landseer, London 1876, p.18, no.206). 

We would like to thank Richard Ormond for his assistance in cataloguing this lot.