Thomas Hudson

half length, wearing a green velvet jacket and blue, gold lace trimmed waistcoat

Commissioned by Sir William Courtenay, 3rd Bt and later 1st Viscount Courtenay (1710-1762);
Thence by descent

STRUCTURE The canvas is unlined, there is one patch on the reverse, in the centre of the canvas. There is one hole in the lower right hand corner of the canvas. PAINT SURFACE The painting appears to be in fairly good condintion. There is one small chip to the paint in the lower centre of the canvas. There is a further scratch to the centre right and scattered very minor paint losses to the background in the upper left of the canvas. There is one area of visible retouching to the right of the sitter's chin, relating to an old hole in the canvas which corresponds to the patch on the reverse (mentioned above). There is a discoloured and opaque varnish overall, as well as a general layer of surface dirt. ULTRAVIOLET Examination under ultraviolet light confirms the condition and retouching mentioned above. FRAME Held in a carved and gilded wooden frame. For further information on the present lot please contact Julian Gascoigne on 0044 (0)20 7293 5482, or via email 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."

Sir William Courtenay, later 1st Viscount Courtenay, was the son of Sir William Courtenay (d.1735), M.P. for Devon, and his wife Lady Anne Bertie, daughter of the 1st Earl of Abingdon. He inherited Powderham Castle in 1735 and, along with his father, was one of Hudson's earliest and most devoted patrons. Though there is suprisingly no documentation in the Devon papers that can confirm the identity of the sitter, comparison of the features of the present portrait with those of Sir William in Hudson's large conversation piece depicting the Courtenay family, which is dated 1756 and hangs in the Banqueting Hall at Powderham, suggests it to be a half length portrait of the same man in contemporary dress. Hudson worked for the Courtenay's throughout his career and this intimate portrait illustrates a sincere familiarity between artist and sitter.