Sir Joshua Reynolds P.R.A.

half-length wearing the uniform of the 19th Light Dragoons, his left hand resting on a plumed helmet placed on a plinth 

Commissioned by the sitter in 1761;
with Agnew's by 20th May 1925, sold to John Levy Galleries;
Mrs Edward S. Moore, Lexington, Kentucky;
Stone Trust Corporation sale, Parke Bernet New York, 16th November 1979, lot 134;
Anonymous sale, Christie's London, 24th July 1980, lot 139 

Possibly Meisterwerke Englischer Malerei aus drei Jahrhunderten, Secession Wein, Vienna, 1927, no. 64

A. Graves and W. V. Cronin, A History of the Works of Sir Joshua Reynolds, Vol I, 1899, p. 262;
E. K. Waterhouse, Reynolds, 1941, p. 49;
D. Mannings, Sir Joshua Reynolds; A Complete Catalogue of his Paintings, 2000, Text Volume, p. 341, no. 1283, Plates Volume, fig. 571

STRUCTURE The canvas has been lined. PAINT SURFACE The painting appears to be in reasonably good condition. There has been some evident retouching to the face and costume of the sitter, as well as in the background. There is a slight discolouration to the surface varnish overall. ULTRAVIOLET Examination under ultraviolet light confirms a layer of heavily opaque varnish. FRAME Held in a British Rococo style carved and gilded 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."

ENGRAVED:
R. B. Parkes 1865

The sitter was the second son of Edward, 5th Earl of Drogheda and his first wife, Lady Sarah Ponsonby, daughter of the 1st Earl of Bessborough. Between 1752 and 1758 he was styled Viscount Moore, until he succeeded to the Earldom when his father and elder brother, Edward, were drowned at sea in the Irish Channel on 28th October 1758, whilst sailing from England to Dublin.

In 1744 Moore joined the army and carried the colours at Culloden in April 1746. In January 1755 he was promoted Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel and in 1759 Lieutenant-Colonel commanding the 19^th, later the 18^th, Light Dragoons. Following a number of further prestigious military appointments he was promoted Field-Marshal on 19^th July 1821. He sat as Member of Parliament for St. Canice (Irishtown) in the Irish Parliament in 1756 and was elected member of the Irish Privy Council in August 1760 as well as holding the position of Grandmaster of the Freemasons in Ireland from 1758 to 1760.

A heavy gambler Moore is once reported to have broken the bank at Spa in 1763. Clearly a vivacious character he spent much of the late 1770s abroad and in 1784 Horace Walpole wrote that he was 'ruining his health with drink and play'. He married Lady Anne Seymour, daughter of 1st Marquess of Hereford, on 15th February 1766, by whom he had ten children, and was later created 1st Marquess of Drogheda on 27th June 1791.

Reynolds sitter's book records numerous appointments with Lord Drogheda between January and April 1761, for which the artist was paid in a series of instalments.