Attributed to Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt. and Sir Joshua Reynolds P.R.A.

STRUCTURE The canvas has been lined. PAINT SURFACE There is a fine but uneven craquelure overall and a very minor abrasion to the centre right above the sitter's head as can be seen faintly in the catalogue illustration. Other than that the painting appears to be in very good condition. ULTRAVIOLET Examination under ultraviolet light reveals the presence of a thick varnish overall and some scattered retouching predominantly to the costume folds and the curls of the wig, but other than that the face remains relatively untouched. FRAME Held in a splendid carved wood 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 Ludo Shaw Stewart on +44 (0)207 293 5816, or at ludovic.shawstewart@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."

The sitter was the second son of Thomas Bruce, 3rd Earl of Elgin and 2nd Earl of Ailesbury and his wife, Lady Elizabeth Seymour, sister of the 3rd Duke of Somerset from whom the family inherited Tottenham Park and Savernake. He succeeded his father (who had long lived in exile on the continent) in 1741 as 4th Earl of Elgin and last Earl of Ailesbury of that creation. He had no surviving male descendants from either of his two marriages to Lady Anne Savile and Lady Juliana Boyle. Two of his daughters became Duchesses - Mary, Duchess of Chandos and Mary, Duchess of Richmond and Lennox. He made notable architectural improvements to Tottenham, influenced by his brother-in-law, Lord Burlington.

The costume would appear to date from the 1760s/1770's and is very close in style to the work of Reynolds who painted for the family.