Sir Edwin Henry Landseer, R.A.

From an album of sketches by Landseer, Wilkie and Count D'Orsay compiled by Lady Ida Louisa Tankerville, daughter of Charles, 6th Earl of Tankerville and wife of John William, 13th Earl of Dalhousie;
Thence by descent to her grandson David Ramsay, by whom sold Christie's, 11 July 1962, lot 23;
Bought from Christie's by Dr Theodore Besterman who broke up the sketchbook and sold this drawing to Thomas Agnew & Son, where bought by Sir David Scott in 1973

London, Thomas Agnew & Sons, 100th Annual Exhibition of Watercolours and Drawings, January-February 1973, no. 213

Sheet: The sheet has not been laid down, but instead it is attached to a backboard along the extreme edges verso. The paper has not discoloured. Medium: The medium is clear, however it has perhaps softened over time. Frame: Held in a simple wooden 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."

Lord Breadlabane was perhaps the grandest of the great Highland aristocrats. He was a famous sportsman and Landseer often stayed with him at his shooting lodge Black Mount in the Mar Forest. Close friends, Breadlabane was also a major patron of the artist. Landseer frequently visited his other estate at Glen Orchy in Argyllshire. One of his largest paintings The Drive-Shooting deer on the pass; scene in the Black Mount, Glen Orchy Forest, was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1847 (now Royal Collection, Balmoral Castle).

John, 2nd Marquess of Breadalbane was the son of John, 1st Marquess and his wife Mary. He was Grand Master of the Free Masons, Fellow of the Royal Society, was Rector of the University of Glasgow and twice Chamberlain of the Household of Queen Victoria. He resided at Taymouth Castle which he greatly improved and enlarged to prodigious proportions.

We are grateful to Richard Ormond for his help in cataloguing this lot.