John Wootton

with a bay hunter held by a groom with the Charlton hunt hounds

Commissioned from the artist by Charles, 2nd Duke of Richmond and Lennox and Duke of Aubigny;
by descent to his nephew Admiral Augustus Keppel, Viscount Keppel (1725-1786);
thence by descent

STRUCTURE The canvas is unlined. PAINT SURFACE The painting appears to be in excellent original condition. There are two very small areas in the lower section of the canvas which show the early signs of flaking. ULTRAVIOLET Examination under ultraviolet light reveals one small area of retouching around the principal figure's head. There are however no further signs of retouching to the rest of the painting. There is an old, slightly discoloured varnish overall. FRAME: Held in a British Baroque carved and gilded 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. 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."

Charles Lennox, 2nd Duke of Richmond was the son of Charles Lennox, 1st Duke of Richmond (the illegitimate son of Charles II and Louise de Kerroualle), and his wife Anne, widow of Henry, Lord Belasyse of Worlaby, and daughter of Frances, Lord Brudenell. In 1719 the eighteen year old Earl of March was married to the thirteen year old daughter and heir to the Earl of Cadogan. He succeeded to the Dukedom in 1723,  and was shortly after made Lord of the Bedchamber and subsequently Master of the King's Horse and Privy Councillor.

When his duties at court allowed, the young Duke indulged in his favourite pastime, sport. In this painting he is portrayed alongside his hunter and surrounded by devoted hounds. The following year, he built a hunting lodge at Charlton and established the Charlton Hunt. By this time Wootton had already gained favour with the Duke and completed four paintings, one of which was a portrait of one of his favourite hounds, Tapster.

As Rosemary Baird explains in her recent publication on Goodwood (see R. Baird, Goodwood, 2007, pp. 76-77), Wootton was already patronised by other members of the aristocracy including; Charles Spencer, later 5th Earl of Sunderland, the Duke of Marlborough and the Duke of Beaufort. Paintings such as this embellished the main hall of their country seats. The Duke of Richmond commissioned six scenes showing his favourite hunters, one of which, this painting was later removed and descended through the family of the Duke's nephew the Admiral Augustus Keppel.