Henry Pickering

Commissioned from the artist by Sir Wolstan Dixie, 4th Bt. (1701-1767), Bosworth Hall, Leicestershire;
thence by descent until acquired by the Hon. Mrs Nellie Ionides (1883-1962), Buxted Park, East Sussex;
sold by order of the Trustees of her deceased estate, London, Sotheby's, 29th May 1963, lot 134 (bt. for £300 by the father of the present owner);
thence by descent

C. Hussey, 'Buxted Park Sussex, III', Country Life, vol. CVIII, London 1950, p. 520, illus. p. 519, fig. 4;
E. Waterhouse, The Dictionary of British 18th Century Painters in oil and crayon, Woodbridge 1981, pp. 282-283 (illus.)

STRUCTURE The canvas has been lined. PAINT SURFACE This painting is in fair condition. It has suffered ware from having been rolled when an unlined canvas, and there are abrasions overall. There are three visible canvas joins, two vertical and one horizontal, which have associated localised paint loss to them. There are scattered areas of paint loss overall, mainly visible only on close inspection. Also on close inspection it is evident that the painting has suffered some damages in the past, and there are small old tears scattered throughout the picture, the largest of which is evident in the upper left, to some of which there is evident old retouching. A professional conservators report, and a quote for sensitive restoration can be requested from the department. We believe that the picture would respond well to careful conservation and cleaning, as none of the damage mentioned is significant or appears to be structurally impairing The painting is structurally sound overall. FRAME Held in a carved and gilded British Rococo style frame. To speak to a specialist about this lot please contact Julian Gascoigne on +44 (0)207 293 5482, or at julian.gascoigne@sothebys.com, or Emmeline Hallmark on 44 (0)207 293 5407, or at 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."

This magnificent portrait shows Sir Wolstan Dixie, pehaps the artist's most important patron, seated on the right with his two sons Wolstan and Willoughby together with his third wife Margaret Cross (d. 1797). Also in the portrait are six of his daughters, probably including Rebecca and Anne, daughters by his first marriage to Anna Freer (d. 1739), and Eleanor-Francis and Rosamond, daughters by his second marriage to Theodosia Wright (d. 1751). Eleanor-Francis later married George Pochin of Bourne and Rosamond married Clement Kynnersley of Loxley.
In December 1713 Wolstan suceeded to the baronetcy and took on the family estate at Bosworth Hall, near Market Bowsworth in Leicestershire, where this portrait was painted in 1755. The estate at Boswoth had been in the ownership of the Dixie family since the sixteenth century when it was acquired in 1589 by Sir Wolstan Dixie (1525-1594), Lord Mayor of London, a prominent member of the Skinners' Company and President of Christ's Hospital.