Sir Henry Raeburn R.A., P.R.S.A.

Collection of C.R. Macdonald, London;
With Sedelmeyer Gallery, Paris, 1911;
Collection of Baron Henri Lambert, Brussels;
Anonymous sale, Brussels, Galerie Georges Giroux, 14 May 1949, lot 241.

London, Military Exhibition, 1901;
Brussels, British Exhibition, 1929.

Illustrated Catalogue of 100 Paintings by Old Masters of the Sedelmeyer Gallery, Paris 1911, pp. 117–19, reproduced cat. no. 96.
J. Greig, Sir Henry Raeburn, London 1911, p. 51;
To be included in the forthcoming catalogue raisonné of the paintings of Sir Henry Raeburn by David Mackie.

The canvas has recently been relined, cleaned and given a new varnish. The relining has somewhat flattened the paint surface but there are traces of impasto in the buttons and brocade of the sitter's uniform. There is some minor frame abrasion on the left margin. Inspection under ultraviolet light reveals two campaigns of sensitive retouchings, predominantly in the background. There are small, sensitive spot retouchings in the sitter's hands and face. In overall good 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."

Colonel Robert MacDonald was commissioned into the Royal Horse Artillery in 1795, and was steadily promoted until he became Lieutenant-Colonel in the regiment in 1825. In 1812 he served in Spain, where he commanded one of the three troops of Royal Horse Artillery at the Battle of Salamanca, for which he was awarded the Army Gold Medal, which he is seen wearing in this portrait. He also wears the star of a Companion of the Order of the Bath, which he was created in 1815.

We are grateful to Duncan Thomson and David Mackie for endorsing the attribution, on the basis of photographs. We are also grateful to Andrew Cormack for his assistance with the cataloguing of this lot, and for dating the picture to circa 1816–17, on the basis of the uniform.