George Romney

including studies of figures, figures on horseback and angels

Probably by descent to Miss Elizabeth Romney (1813-1893), the artist's grand-daughter;
her sale, London, Christie's, 24-25 May 1894, unknown lot number;
John, 17^th Earl of Perth (1907-2002);
thence by descent to the present owner 

The binding of his sketchbook has become loose and several of the pages are detached from the spine. The medium remains well preserved, however there are foxmarks on many of the sheets and occasional areas of discolouration. For further information on this lot please contact either Mark Griffith-Jones (0207 293 5083) or Emmeline Hallmark (0207 293 5083).
"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."

Inscriptions on several pages within this sketchbook suggest that Romney worked in this book during the months leading up to his departure for Paris in the summer of 1790. This short trip was to be his third and last to that city and, travelling with the poet William Hayley (1745-1820), the pair left London on the 31^st July.

A list, written in Romney's hand, suggests that he was well prepared. 'Black Lead Pencil[s], Indian Ink, Bookes [sic], Boots, Capes, Shoos [sic], slippers, Dressing Gown, Reasers [sic], Scissors, 9 shirts, Tooth Brush, Sketch Bookes' and 'a French and English Dictionary' were all considered essential, while he twice reminded himself to buy a 'Layman' (a wooden manikin) while there.

Romney also inscribed this book with a list of names which, in turn, help to confirm the date of the work. He mentions, amongst others, a Mr Chetwynd of 90 Jermyn Street, Andrew Reid, John Blackburn of Hale Hall (1754-1833), George, 6^th Earl of Stamford (1765-1845), George, 2^nd Earl of Warwick (1746-1816), Charles Greville (1749-1809), Georgiana, Baroness Middleton (1746-1789), Charles, 3^rd Duke of Richmond and Lennox (1735-1806). Each of these people were either clients or acquaintances of Romney during the 1780s and 1790s.

Many of the drawings contained within the book cannot be linked to other compositions by Romney. However, Alex Kidson has suggested that some sketches, particularly those which appear to concentrate on a male figure taking leave of a distraught female, may relate to Romney's unfinished and now lost painting of Ceyx and Alcyone.

This sketchbook was previously owned by John, 17^th Earl of Perth (1907-2002). After a successful career in banking, Lord Perth was appointed Minister of State for Colonial Affairs in 1956. A discerning art collector and prolific bibliophile, he served as Chairman of the Reviewing Committee for the Exports of Works of Art. He was also a member of the advisory council of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, a member of Roxburghe Club and a trustee of the National Library of Scotland.

We would like to thank Alex Kidson for his assistance in cataloguing this work.