Sir Godfrey Kneller

Sir Charles Henry Tempest (1834-1894), Broughton Hall,  Yorkshire;
By descent to his daughter Ethel Tempest, who married Miles Stapleton (1850-1895), 10th Lord Beaumont in 1893;
thence by direct family descent. 

STRUCTURE The canvas has been lined. PAINT SURFACE There is an old and discoloured vanish, with a thick layer of dirt overall and there are a number of surface scratches, in the lower section of the canvas. There is one small crack to the paint, in the sitters left temple, to which there is some very minor accossiated paint loss. There is one small area of minor damage in the lower right of the painting, and there has been some adrasion to the left hand edge. There is some very minor ditumen separation in some old overpain in the sitter's lap. ULTRAVIOLET Examination uner ultraviolet light reveals some very minor infilling to craquelure in the sitter's lap, and confirms the opacity and discolouration of the varnish. FRAME Held in a carved and gilded wooden frame. For further information on this lot please contact Julian Gascoigne on 0207 293 5482, or at julian.gascoigne@sothebys.com.
"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."

An old label on the frame suggests that the sitter in this portrait is Mary Crofts, Countess of Lucan.  However the Countess of Lucan at this date was Honora wife of Patrick Sarsfield, Earl of Lucan, who died in 1698 aged 23.  As the portrait dates from the 1680s it cannot depict her.  However, Lord Lucan's elder brother, William Sarsfield, married Mary Crofts and it is possible that the portrait depicts her.

Mary Crofts was the daughter of Lucy Walter.  Her mother was mistress of Charles II and mother of James, Duke of Monmouth.  The Duke was placed at an early age with Lord Crofts, a close friend of the King, and took the name Crofts.  It appears that his half sister Mary also took the name Crofts though her father was not Charles II but probably Theobald, Earl of Carlingford.  She was two years younger than her brother and it appears that they were brought up together, whilst young and Monmouth later pleaded his sister's cause when she was in financial difficulties.  She married William Sarsfield in about 1670 and following his death in 1675 she married William Fenshaw, a Master of Requests.