Attributed to Isaac Collevaux

The Dukes of Bedford, Woburn Abbey, by 1890;
Hochschild Collection;
By whom sold London, Sotheby's, 29 November 1978, lot 59, for £20,000 (as by George Lambert).

Kenwood, The Iveagh Bequest, George Lambert (1700-1765), 1970, no.13.

G. Scharf, Catalogue of Pictures at Woburn Abbey,  London 1890, no.386 (as by Lambert).

The painting is in excellent overall condition. The canvas has an old and sensitive relining. The picture has recently been cleaned, the paint surface is stable and the varnish is clear and even. There are no damages visible to the naked eye or under ultraviolet light. Inspection under ultraviolet light reveals very few, minor retouchings.
"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 canvas originally formed part of a group of landscapes from Woburn which were formerly attributed to the English 18th century landscape painter George Lambert (1700-1765). While three of these were authentic signed and dated works by Lambert, others, including the present painting, are the work of a different hand. Most recently Elizabeth Einberg has suggested an alternative attribution to Isaac Collevaux, or Collivoe, who is documented as being at Woburn between 1743 and 1763. On 31 August 1757 the Woburn Cashbook records payment to '..Isaac Colivoe in full for his Bill for cleaning and mending Pictures and for Painting 2 Landscapes for Chimney Pieces. £171. 12s'.¹ This is the only record of Collevaux as a landscape painter; he is otherwise documented as a restorer, working for, among others, the Duke of Devonshire.

1. E. Einberg, 'Catalogue Raisonné of the Works of George Lambert', in Walpole Society, LXIII (2001), p. 116. Eight landscapes by or attributed to Lambert from this group were later sold from Woburn at Christie's, London, 9 January 1951, lots 29-36.
2. For the most complete record of Collevaux's activities as a restorer see http://www.npg.org.uk/research/programmes/directory-of-british-picture-restorers