After Sir Peter Lely

three-quarter length, standing, wearing a yellow dress with blue cloak

Anon Inventory of the Effects at Powderham Castle in the County of Devon, directed by the Will and Codicil of the Rt Hon. William, the 9th Eral of Edon, to be preserved as heirlooms, Nov. 1835, Earl of Devons archive, (Powderham Castle l/1/11)

. Girouard, "Powderham Castle I",  Country Life, July 4^th 1963, Vol. CXXXIV, pl. 10, p. 21 (illustrated hanging in the Ante Room).

STRUCTURE The canvas has been lined. PAINT SURFACE There is one small patch of visible retouching to the extreme upper centre of the canvas, above the sitter's head, and there is a line of retouching approximately three inches from the bottom of the canvas, to an old crack along the inner edge of the lower stretcher bar. There is one further small area of old retouching below the sitter's chin. There is a layer of discoloured varnish and dirt overall and the paint is bubbling in areas probably due to previous relining. There is further some minor scattered paintloss overall, predominanly to the canvas edge. ULTRAVIOLET Examination under ultraviolet light confirms the opacity of the varnish and the retouching mentioned above. There are no signs of further recent retouching. FRAME Held in a gilded 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."

The present painting is a copy of the portrait of Frances, Duchess of Richmond and Lennox by Sir Peter Lely in the collection of the Dukes of Richmond at Goodwood House. A legendary beauty, known as La Belle Stuart, the sitter married Charles Stuart, 3rd Duke of Richmond and 6th Duke of Lennox in 1667. She was painted by Lely a number of times, most notably as 'Diana' (Hampton Court), and she also served as the model for John Roettier's figure of 'Britannia'.