Nathaniel Dance, R.A.

George Wills, St John’s Wood;

His posthumous sale, London, Christie’s, 10 February 1928, lot 66, for 250 guineas, (as Allan Ramsay, Portrait of Lady Anne Compton d. 1747);

A.E. Marsh, Bylaugh Park, East Dereham, Norfolk, 1928;

With Frost & Reed, London, by 1934, (as Allan Ramsay, Portrait of Lady Anne Compton);

Anonymous sale, New York, Sotheby’s, 13 January 1978, lot 64, (as Allan Ramsay, Portrait of Lady Elisabeth Compton, Countess of Northampton, for $7,000). 

The catalogue illustration is largely representative, though it makes the picture look darker than it actually is. The picture appears to be in good condition, with no extant damage or loss of paint. The canvas has an old relining and, which has split in a few places down the right hand outer edge of the stretcher, and is coming away from the stretcher slightly in the lower right corner. The pigments are strong in the flesh tones and in the costume, and there is very little sign of abrasion or wear. Examination under ultraviolet light reveals minor old strengthening to the bridge of the nose, but otherwise there are no signs of recent retouching or restoration. There are faint signs of what might be a small old tear in the background, centre right, but this does not fluoresce under UV. There is a slightly discoloured varnish overall. Held in a carved and gilded wooden frame, with rococo elements.
"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."

Previously thought to have been painted by Allan Ramsay, the present work is closer in handling, style and date, to the work of Nathaniel Dance, R.A. The sitter has variously been called Lady Anne Compton, Countess of Northampton, who died aged 22 in 1763, and Lady Elizabeth Compton, Countess of Northampton, who died in 1741. As the portrait must date approximately to 1780, it is most likely that the sitter is in fact the former's daughter, Lady Elizabeth Compton (1760-1835), who married Lord George Cavendish, later created 1st Earl of Burlington (1754-1834), in 1782. Elizabeth was the only child of Lady Anne and her husband Charles Compton, 7th Earl of Northampton (1737-1763). She was painted by Reynolds in 1781 (National Gallery of Art, Washington DC), and also sat to both Hoppner and Romney.