John Downman, A.R.A.

H. R. Rowlands;
Anonymous sale, Sotheby's London, 9 July 1997, lot 36;
Anonymous sale, Christie's London, 24 January 2001, lot 500

Birmingham, City Museum and Art Gallery, Exhibition of Treasures from Midland Homes, 1938

STRUCTURE The copper sheet is in very good condition and is providing a flat and stable support for the painting. PAINT SURFACE The painting is in very good condition, with no apparent damage or loss of paint. ULTRAVIOLET Examination under ultraviolet light reveals no apparent retouching or restoration. FRAME Held in a carved and gilded wooden rectangular frame, with an oval centre, as illustrated in the catalogue. For further information regarding this lot please contact Mark Griffith-Jones (0207 293 5083) or Emmeline Hallmark (0207 293 5407) mark.griffithjones@sothebys.com emmeline.hallmark@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."

In this highly accomplished portrait John Downman represents George, Viscount Althorp, when an undergraduate of nineteen years of age. Privately educated in childhood at Althorp Park, in 1770 he entered Harrow School, before being admitted into Trinity College, Oxford in 1776. A year later he sat for this portrait and then embarked on a Grand Tour of Italy.

A significant patron of the arts, he was inspired by his celebrated tutor Sir William Jones to greatly appreciate both the Greek and Rome classics. A major achievement, later in life, was the formation of the library at Althorp, which upon his death contained some 40,000 volumes.

In March 1782 he married the Hon. Lavinia Bingham (1762-1831), eldest daughter of Charles, 1^st Lord Lucan, and in 1783, upon the death of his father, he succeeded to the Earldom.

He was to play an active role in political circles, firstly as M.P. and secondly as First Lord of the Admiralty from 1794 and 1799. He retired from politics in 1807 to dedicate his time to local Northamptonshire affairs, to his estate at Althorp and to his library.