John Russell R.A.

John Harley;
sale, London, Sotheby's, 21 March 2002, lot 103

This pastel has been well preserved and carefully presented. The surface of the work remains un-rubbed and there is no evidence of mould. There is a small tear, measuring 350mm, located at the upper left hand edge of the sheet and a second smaller tear, measuring 200mm, located in the upper right background. These can only be seen on very close inspection. For further information on this work, please contact either Mark Griffith-Jones (mark.griffithjones@sothebys.com) or Emmeline Hallmark (emmeline.hallmark@sotheby.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."

John Johnson was born in Leicester and was the son of a joiner. By 1759 he had moved to London and by the late 1760s had established himself as a carpenter in Berners Street. In 1782, he was appointed Surveyor to the County of Essex, a post which he held for thirty years. It was in this capacity that he designed his most important work, the Shire Hall at Chelmsford (1789-1791). He also worked on over twenty country houses, mainly in Essex and the Midlands, as well as executing several commissions within London.