Thomas Gainsborough, R.A.

Henry Farrar, FSA (1798-1866);
His posthumous sale, London, Christie's, 15 June 1866, lot 87 (where bought in);
Catherine Farwell;
Her sale, The Priory, Burnham by Phillips, 5 July 1921, lot 274, to T.H. Robinson;
By whom sold to M. Knoedler, London and New York, 7 July 1921;
By whom sold to John Levy Galleries, New York, 1 May 1925;
James V. Watson, Chicago;
His sale, Chicago, Michael Tauber, 22 March 1937, lot 1037, to Loomis;
Mrs. Edwin C. Loomis, Winnetka, Illinois, for $3,600;
With Marie Sterner, New York, 1942;
James Jarrell, Chicago;
His sale, Chicago, Hanzell Galleries, 22 May 1966, lot 99;
There purchased by the family of the present owners.

Montreal and Toronto, M. Knoedler at Jenkins Art Galleries, Exhibition of English and Foreign Masters, December 1924, no. 3.

E.K. Waterhouse, "Preliminary Check List of Portraits by Thomas Gainsborough", in Walpole Society 1948-50, XXXIII, 1953, p. 2, no. 2;
E.K. Waterhouse, Gainsborough, London 1958, p. 51, cat. no. 14.

The following condition report has been provided by Simon Parkes of Simon Parkes Art Conservation, Inc. 502 East 74th St. New York, NY 212-734-3920, simonparkes@msn.com, an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. This painting has not been recently cleaned, but seems to be in very healthy state nonetheless. There is a slight ridge down the right side of the lining, which can be corrected if the lining is replaced or re-examined. The quality and condition throughout the picture appears to be very good. While there may be very slight weakness to some of the features of the face, there is no real restoration or abrasion that is apparent. No restorations are visible under ultraviolet light, and it is only the old varnish which lends a slightly milky surface. There is no reason that this picture could not be properly cleaned. The amount of retouching required would be minimal, and it is only the lining that should be re-examined.
"This lot is offered for sale subject to Sotheby's Conditions of Business, which are available on request and printed in Sotheby's sale catalogues. The independent reports contained in this document are provided for prospective bidders' information only and without warranty by Sotheby's or the Seller."

Gertrude Alston (née Durnford) was the sixth daughter of Reverand Thomas Durnford (circa 1682-1747) and Susanna (b. 1696). She married Colonel Rowland Alston (1725-1791) on 22 September 1753 in London, who later inherited the title of Baron following the death of his brother Thomas. The Alstons lived mostly in London, though they made frequent trips to Bath throughout their lives. It is in Bath that Lady Alston sat for Gainsborough for three separate portraits. The first portrait he executed of Lady Alston is the incredibly elegant and imposing full length depiction of her which now hangs in the Louvre (inv. RF 1947-1). That portrait of Lady Alston must be considered one of Gainsborough’s finest, and among the best examples of his portraiture from not only his time in Bath, but from his entire illustrious career. The second portrait commissioned by Lady Alston was unrecorded until its reappearance at auction, where it was sold London, Sotheby’s, 19 March 2003, lot 40. Similar to the present work, that portrait was also bust length and of similar dimensions. The present portrait painting was the last of Lady Alston be painted by Gainsborough. Based on similar costume, composition and figure type, it may compared with another portrait from 1767 of Mrs. Walcot (sold London, Sotheby’s, 10 march 1965, lot 120) dated to 1767.