John Hoppner, R.A.

Commissioned by the sitter's father Samuel Whitbread, M.P. (1758-1815), of Southhill, Bedfordshire;
By descent to the sitter, who married, in 1817, Charles Shaw-Lefevre, 1st Viscount Eversley (1794-1888), of Heckfield Place, Winchfield, Hampshire;
His deceased estate sale, Christie's, London, 9 May 1896, lot 59, to Agnew for 1,800 gns.;
With Thomas Agnew & Sons, London;
W. MacKenzie, Toronto, by 1909;
With Jenkins Galleries, Toronto, by 1927;
With Thomas Agnew & Sons, London, by 1930;
Anonymous sale ('The Property of an Institution'), New York, Christie's, 18 January 1983, lot 90;
Anonymous sale, South Kensington, Christie's, 25 April 2007, lot 141, where acquired by the present owner.

Brussels, Circle Artistique et Literaire de Bruxelles, December 1896, no 268;
Atlanta, High Museum of Art.

W. McKay and W. Roberts, The Works of John Hoppner, R.A., London 1909, p. 286.

The picture is in good condition with no apparent extant damage or loss of paint and the catalogue illustration is representative. The canvas has a firm lining and consequently the surface of the paint is a little flat. Examination under ultraviolet light reveals more than one campaign of restoration. There is old strengthening in the sky, upper left, and in the foliage, centre right, as well as scattered strengthening in the foreground. There is also old retouching in the left hand, and scattered areas of strengthening in the background, centre left, and down the left hand side of the dress. There is more recent delicate infilling to craquelure and small retouching in the sitter's face and hand, and infilling to craquelure in the lower left. There is further delicate retouching to a small old tear just below the left hand. The picture is held in a carved and gilded British Baroque style frame. To speak to a specialist about this lot please contact Julian Gascoigne on +44 (0)207 293 5482.
"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 daughter of Samuel Whitbread (1758-1815), heir to the brewing fortune, and his wife Lady Elizabeth, daughter of the 1st Earl Grey. Her husband, Viscount Eversley, was for many years Speaker of the House of Commons.