Sir Henry Raeburn R.A., P.R.S.A.

By descent from the sitter, in the Fergusson Family, Edinburgh;
to Miss M. H. A. Fergusson, Edinburgh;
bequeathed to Miss Evelyn Portal, Ashe Park, Hampshire;
Anonymous sale, Christie's London, May 1906, bt. by Sulley and Co.;
Mrs. Collis P. Huntington, Pasadena, California;
with Duveen Brothers Inc., New York;
bt. by Norton Simon Foundation, Los Angeles;
Anonymous sale, Sotheby's London, 27th November 1974, lot 75;
with Old Hall Gallery Ltd;
from whom bt. by the present owner

Cleveland, Museum of Art, Style, Truth and the Portrait, 1963, no. 45;
Houston, Museum of Fine Arts, 1954;
Knoxville, Art Centre, 1944
Palm Beach, Society of the Four Arts, on loan, 1965-73;
Toronto, Art Gallery, Red Cross Exhibition, 1940, no. 57

W. Armstrong, Art in Great Britain and Ireland, 1909, p. 198, repr.;
A. M. Frankfurter, Art News, 13th April 1940, p. 18;
J. Greig, Sir Henry Raeburn, R.A., His Life and Works, 1911, p. 45;
G. Mairey, Le Peinture Anglaise du XVIII Siecle, 1928, pp. 97-98;
W.D. McKay, Raeburn's Technique, Studio, February 1908

The canvas has an old lining. On close inspection there is a small white mark in the extreme lower left corner. There is some craquelure visible on close inspection. There is some light surface dirt. There are some light flecks of old discoloured retouching visible in the background and to the figure's hands. Otherwise in good condition. Ultraviolet light reveals a small spot of retouching in the lower right quadrant and some further minor flecks to the figure's face, dress and elsewhere. Held in a simply decorated gold painted composite frame in fair condition.
"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 William Petrie of the East India Company, who was Member of Parliament for East Bedford, Nottinghamshire, in 1796, Provisional Governor of Madras, 1807, and Governor of Prince Wales Island.