George Romney

half-length, wearing a blue dress and a white bonnet

Commissioned from the artist by Sir George Robinson Bt. in 1786;
F.W. Woolworth Collection, Monmouth, Maine, U.S.A;
Anonymous sale, Sotheby's London, 25th November 2004, lot 50 

H. Ward and W. Roberts, Romney, vol. ii, 1904, p. 132

STRUCTURE The canvas has been lined. PAINT SURFACE The painting appears to be in good condition. ULTRAVIOLET Examination under ultraviolet reveals scattered minor retouching in the upper right of the painting, as well as an opaque varnish overall. FRAME Held in a British Rococo 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."

The sitter was the daughter of John Chester of Covent Garden and his wife Elizabeth, daughter and co-heir of Sir William Chester 5th Bt. Her grandmother was the daughter of George Hewett of Stretton Hall, Leicestershire, and Dorothea inherited the substantial Hewett estates, as well as property from the Chester family of Chicheley and from William Wood of Loudham Hall, Suffolk. On 2nd December 1764 she married Sir George Robinson, 5th Bt. of Cranford Hall near Kettering, owner of substantial estates in Northamptonshire, inherited in 1765 from his father Sir John Robinson. Sir George was high Sheriff of Northamptonshire from 1766-1767 and Member of Parliament for Northampton from 1774-1780. The Public Ledger described him as 'an honest, independent country gentleman of Whig principles and inclined to Opposition'. They had seven sons and two daughters, and their eldest son George succeeded to the baronetcy in 1815.

This beautiful portrait was painted in 1786, a year in which Romney painted several of his finest portraits of Emma Hamilton. Five sittings are recorded in February 1786 and Romney painted her husband in the same year.