Attributed to George Morland

Frederick Davis, 1885;
Lord Tweedmouth, London and Guisachan, Beauly;
His sale, London, Christie's, 3 June 1905, lot 29;
There acquired by Charles Davis, London;
Walter Burns;
By whom sold, London, Christie's, 3 May 1929, lot 29;
There acquired by Vicars;
With Scott & Fowles, New York;
Evander B. Schley, New York;
By whom given to The Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1951 (Inv. no. 52.116).

London, Royal Academy of Arts, Works by the Old Masters, January-March 1885, no. 30 (lent by Frederick Davis);
Southampton New York, Parrish Art Museum, Paintings from the Collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 22 July-18 August 1954 (unnumbered catalogue).

Der Kunstmarkt 2, 14 July 1905, p. 226;
A.C.R. Carter, "Picture Sales of 1928-9," in Christie's Season, 1929, London 1929, p. 30;
F. Rutter, "Dancing Dogs," in Connoisseur 86, August 1930, pp. 73-75, reproduced;
K. Baetjer, European Paintings in The Metropolitan Museum of Art, by artists born in or after 1865, A Summary Catalogue, New York 1980, vol. I, p. 132, vol. II, p. 271, reproduced (as George Morland);
K. Baetjer, European Paintings in The Metropolitan Museum of Art, by artists born in or after 1865, A Summary Catalogue, New York 1995, p. 200 (as George Morland);
K. Baetjer, British Paintings in The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1575-1875, New York 2009, pp. 204-206, reproduced (as Attributed to George Morland).

Oil on canvas, lined. The lining is older and has stabilized and somewhat flattened the work. The surface is covered in a fine web of craquelure. The picture surface appears clean, and in generally good condition Under UV light, minor retouches to strengthen the tree are visible in the leaves at upper left and in the trunk. Additional small scattered areas of retouching to address craquelure visible in the woman, child, and dog at right. Additional small scattered retouching, finely applied, is visible. The work presents very well and is ready to hang in its current condition. In a gilt wood frame.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

This painting is a replica of a composition by Morland, signed and dated 1790, formerly in the collection of Captain F.W. Lowther and sold at auction, along with its pendant Guinea Pigs, in 1977.¹  Dancing Dogs was engraved by Thomas Gaugain in the reverse in 1790 (the pendant, also engraved by Gaugain in 1789, is in the same sense as the painting).

1.  London, Phillips, 14 November 1977, lot 147.