The Family Collection of the late Countess Mountbatten of Burma
The Family Collection of the late Countess Mountbatten of Burma
John Russell, R.A.
Portrait of Sarah Sophia Banks (1744-1818)
Auction Closed
March 24, 08:41 PM GMT
Estimate
8,000 - 12,000 GBP
Lot Details
Description
John Russell, R.A.
Guilford 1745 - 1806 Hull
Portrait of Sarah Sophia Banks (1744-1818)
Pastel, gilt-wood frame;
signed lower left: J.Russell RA pt 1790
597 x 450 mm.
Sir Joseph Banks (1743-1820), brother of the sitter;
his wife Dorothea, Lady Banks, née Hugessen (1758-1828);
her nephew Sir Edward Knatchbull, 9th Bt (1781-1849)
his wife Dorothea, Lady Banks, née Hugessen (1758-1828);
her nephew Sir Edward Knatchbull, 9th Bt (1781-1849)
G.C. Williamson, John Russell, R.A., London, 1894, p. 138;
N. Jeffares, Dictionary of Pastellists before 1800, on-line edition, no. J.64.1116
N. Jeffares, Dictionary of Pastellists before 1800, on-line edition, no. J.64.1116
London, South Kensington, Catalogue of Pictures by John Russell, 1894, no. 10
London, Royal Academy, European Masters of the Eighteenth Century, 1954, no. 365
London, Royal Academy, European Masters of the Eighteenth Century, 1954, no. 365
The remarkable collector Sarah Sophia Banks was born on 28th October 1744 at 30 Argyll Street in Soho, the only daughter of William and Sarah Banks. She grew up at Revesby Abbey in Lincolnshire with her elder brother Joseph, later to become the great patron and naturalist. Throughout her long life Sarah remained devoted to her brother, living with him first in his house in New Burlington Street and later from 1776 at 32 Soho Square. She corresponded with him regularly, and re-copied and edited his journal of his Newfoundland voyage and his voyage in the Endeavour. She recorded many events in her brother's life, including the famous meeting between Omai and George III. She was an enthusiastic collector of coins, medals, tokens and ephemera, and put together a large number of scrapbooks. Her collection of coins was stored in wooden cabinets in her bedroom on the first floor of 32 Soho Square. She was also a highly efficient organiser, and produced a seven volume catalogue of her collection, methodically listing its provenance. She had a reputation as an eccentric. In A Book for a Rainy Day (London 1845 p. 214) John Thomas Smith, later keeper of prints at the British Museum, wrote: 'Her dress was that of the Old School, her Barcelona quilted petticoat had a hole on either side for the convenience of rummaging two immense pockets stuffed with books of all sizes.' She also took a keen interest in ballooning, and drove a four in hand with great gusto. Following her death her great collection of over 30,000 objects were presented to the British Museum. It is now split between the British Museum, The British Library, and The Royal Mint Museum.