JOHN ASTLEY | PORTRAIT OF A LADY, HALF LENGTH, WEARING A PURPLE DRESS, A BLACK LACE CHOKER, A PEARL NECKLACE AND FLOWERS IN HER HAIR

Anonymous sale ("The Property of a Gentleman"), London, Sotheby's, 22 November 2007, lot 39;

There acquired.

John Astley studied with Joshua Reynolds (1723 - 1792) under the artist Thomas Hudson (1701 - 1779). While in Rome and Florence, Pompeo Batoni (1708 - 1787) was also his teacher before Astley established a career in Ireland and England. Although he had much talent for portraiture, Astley was also known for his good looks and extravagant personality. Much of his wealth was acquired through his wives, since he married three times.