Sir Henry Raeburn R.A., P.R.S.A.

Sir John Marjoribanks, 3rd Bt. (1830–1884), The Lees, Coldstream;
Thence by inheritance to his wife, Charlotte Athol Mary Trotter (1841–1919), Mortonhall, Edinburgh;
With George Gallery, Edinburgh;
With Doig, Wilson & Wheatley, Edinburgh, 1924;
R.L. Skofield, Greenwich, Conneticut;
By whom sold, New York, Parke-Bernet, 1 February 1940, lot 79, for $300, to R.L. Cawood;
Anonymous sale, Philadelphia, Freeman's, 7 October 2011, lot 149;
With Rafael Valls Ltd., London.

The canvas has been relined, the paint surface is clean, and the varnish is clear and even. The impasto still stands proud of the paint surface, most notably in the sitter's jewellery. Inspection under ultraviolet light reveals sensitive retouching to reduce the appearance of craquelure in sitter's right breast and, minimally, in her face and neck. There is also some retouching along the right-hand margin and small spot retouchings along the other three margins. In overall good condition.
"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 identity of the sitter in this painting is unknown, but it is fascinating to think that this woman, perhaps of Anglo-Indian descent, was in Edinburgh at a time so much associated with Raeburn's portraits of the male figures of the Scottish Enlightenment. The sitter may very possibly have had an, as yet unidentified, connection with the Marjoribanks family, the first recorded owners of the work. Sir John Marjoribanks, 3rd Baronet of Lees, was himself born in Madras, India, his father Sir William Marjoribanks, 2nd Baronet, serving as a captain in the naval service of the East India Company. Many other members of the family had links to the East India Company, not least Sir William's uncle, Campbell Marjoribanks, who was elected a director in 1807 and served three times as its chairman.

The attribution to Raeburn was formerly confirmed by James Lewis Caw (1864–1950), director of the Scottish National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery from 1907–30, and co-author of the 1901 monograph on Raeburn with Sir Walter Armstrong. William Roberts also gave the portrait a certificate, dated London, April 1932. We are grateful to Dr. Duncan Thomson for more recently confirming the attribution to Raeburn, on the basis of a photograph.