PETRUS JOHANNES VAN REYSSCHOOT | Portrait of Sir Danvers Osborn (1715–1753), Governor of New York

Commissioned by the sitter and thence by descent to the present owner. 

The canvas has a firm relining, the paint surface is stable and the varnish clear and even. The dark tones and shadows are a little thinned, but otherwise in overall good condition. The impasto in the embroidery is nicely preserved. Inspection under ultra violet light reveals a varnish that fluoresces quite milky and opaque. There are a handful of scattered retouchings visible throughout but no major damages. Offered in a carved gilt wood frame in fair 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."

Born at Chicksands Priory in Bedfordshire, the sitter was the son of John Osborn and his wife Sarah Byng, the daughter of George Byng, 1st Viscount Torrington (1663–1733). In 1720 he succeeded his grandfather as 3rd Baronet and in 1740 married Lady Mary Montagu, the daughter of George Montagu, 1st Earl of Halifax. His brother-in-law, the 2nd Earl, was one of the leading British statesmen of the Georgian era who, as President of the Board of Trade, became known as the 'father of the Colonies'. In 1743 Lady Mary died giving birth to their second child and the loss of his wife affected Osborn’s mental state for the rest of his life.  

In 1745 he saw military action in support of the King at Culloden and subsequently represented Bedfordshire in Parliament between 1747 and 1753. In 1750, with the patronage of his brother-in-law, he travelled to the Americas; first to Nova Scotia, where he worked assiduously to help establish the newly created colony there and was much esteemed by the settlers, before being appointed to the post of Royal Governor of the Province of New York in 1753. In October of that year, however, shortly after assuming office, he committed suicide in the garden of his house in New York, no longer able to bear the loss of his beloved wife. His body was interred at Trinity Church, in Manhattan, before being repatriated to Chicksands in 1754.

A Flemish artist from Ghent, Petrus Johannes van Reysschoot came to England between circa 1736 and 1743, having won a prize at the Paris Academy in 1730. In England he painted history and sporting scenes, which show the influence of both Hayman and Wootton, and had a good portrait practice particularly among Midlands gentry.