Richard Westall R.A. 1765-1836

Purchased from the artist in 1806 by Frederick, 5th Earl of Carlisle;
thence by descent until sold, Castle Howard sale, Sotheby's, 12th November 1991, lot 547 (bt by the present owner)

London, British Institution, 1806, no.93

Henry Ibbotson, The Visitor's Guide to Castle Howard, 1851, p.32;
Lord Hawkesbury, 'Catalogue of the Portraits, Miniatures etc at Castle Howard, Yorkshire and Naworth Castle, Cumberland', no. 30 The Transactions of the East Riding Antiquarian Society, 1903, Vol. XI 

STRUCTURE The canvas has been lined. PAINT SURFACE The painting is in very good condition. There remains a great deal of depth to the paint surface, with impasto preserved well. There is a small area of paint loss to the upper right of the painting, visible in the catalogue, which could easily be re-touched.To the centre right of the cnavas there appears to be a small area of abrasion, or bitumen, to the impasto. Overall the painting is in very good, original condition. ULTRAVIOLET Ultraviolet light reveals scattered re-touching to the sitter's clothes, and a few very small light spots of re-touching to her face. There are two small areas of re-touching to the centre right, and a small area of re-touching to the upper centre of the painting. Re-touching has also been carried out along the lower left, lower and lower right edges of the canvas. Overall UV reveals the painting to be in good, original condition. FRAME Held in its original gilt 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."

The subject is taken from Alexander Pope's poem Eloise to Abelard written in 1717.  Westall was patronised by Frederick, 5th Earl of Carlisle.  He painted Lord Carlisle's portrait and also provided the illustrations to the large 1800 edition of his play The Father's Revenge.  The original watercolour remains at Castle Howard.