Francis Cotes, R.A.

By family descent to Lieutenant William Lewis Clinton-Baker, the sitter's great-great-great-grandson;
sale, London, Christie's, 1 June 1945, lot 69, bt. Norris; 
Christopher Norris;
sale, London, Christie's, 4 July 1952, lot 1, bt. Elias;
sale, New York, Sotheby's, 29 May 2003, lot 98

N. Jeffares, Dictionary of Pastellists before 1800, London 2006, p. 133

"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 pastel dates to the late 1760s and shows Lady Henrietta resplendent in an ermine-lined cloak. She was a member of the ancient Fermor family, of Easton Neston in Northamptonshire. Upon her death in 1793 a contemporary described her as ‘in manners, elegant and interesting in disposition, tender and affectionate in temper, gentle and mild in religion, truly pious in life, by all beloved.¹
Lady Henrietta’s father was Thomas Fermor, 2^nd Baron Leominster and 1^st Earl of Pomfret. He held several court positions including Master of Horse to Queen Caroline, Governor of Jersey and Keeper of St. James’ Park. Her mother, Henrietta Louisa Jeffreys, was the grand-daughter of the Judge Jeffreys, 1^st Baron Jeffreys and of Philip, 7^th Earl of Pembroke. She too was prominent at Court and served as Lady of the Bedchamber to the Queen.

In 1747, Lady Henrietta married, at Easton Neston, John Conyers before moving to his family’s seat, Copt Hall near Epping in Essex. There they set about demolishing the Elizabethan house, before commissioning a new Palladian mansion by the architect John Sanderson. This was completed in 1758 and later the building was described as the premier house of Essex. John Conyers corresponded with Voltaire and served as a Member of Parliament on two occasions, while Lady Conyers was a fine amateur botanical watercolourist, who may have been taught by Georg Ehret.

1. E. Ogborne, The History of Essex from the Earliest Period to the Present time, London 1814, p. 204