Enoch Seeman c.1694-1745

Sir John Cope, standing, wearing a brown coat, his wife, Alice, seated, wearing a blue dress, with their children, Monnaux, John, Anne and Elizabeth

H.A. Tipping, English Homes, 1927, Vol. II, Period 1, p. 293

With some senstive restoration this portrait could be radically transformed. The canvas has been lined. There are a couple of minor surface abrasions to the edges of the canvas where a frame may have rubbed. There is evidence of three restored damages; one through the mother's neck (visible in the catalogue illustration), a second in the hair and cheek of the child to the left of the composition, and a third vertical damage in the lower left hand corner (visible in the catalogue illustration). There is evidence of retouching to these damages, as well as some touches of repaint to the daughter's neck. The work does not appear to have been done particularly well, and the work could be greatly improved. Other scattered touches of repaint, some of which have discoloured. The work is held in a carved wood 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."

This magnificent portrait depicts the family of Sir John Cope, and it hung at Bramshill in Hampshire which Cope had bought in about 1700, shortly after his marriage. The Copes were an old family from Hanwell in Oxfordshire, and Sir John's ancestor, Anthony was created baronet in 1611 by James I. The house and estates of Hanwell passed through the family to Sir John's father but then went to a cadet member of the family. Sir John therefore decided that he had to acquire a new estate and purchased Bramshill, an important Jacobean mansion built in c. 1620 by Edward, 11th Baron Zouche. Bramshill continued in the ownership of the Cope family until 1935 when it was acquired by Lord Brocket.

Sir John Cope was son and heir of Sir John Cope, 5th Bt., M.P. and his wife, Anne Booth. He was educated at Oriel College, Oxford, and in 1696 married Alice, daughter of Sir Humphrey Monnoux, 2nd Bt., M.P., of Wootton. He was active in politics, becoming M.P. for Plympton Erle (1705-1708), Tavistock (1708-1727), Hampshire (1727-1734) and Lymington (1734-1741). He was a director of the Bank of England between 1706 and 1721. He died in 1749 and was succeeded by his son Monnaux who became M.P. for Banbury and Newport.