Sir Henry Raeburn R.A., P.R.S.A.

With Arthur James Gallery, Delray Beach, Florida, where acquired by the present owner in the mid-1990s.

The painting is more muted in tone than the catalogue illustration would suggest. The canvas has been lined and as a result the weave of the canvas is visible upon close inspection, in the lighter pigments. The paint surface otherwise appears to be in very good condition with no apparent areas of damage or loss of paint visible to the naked eye. There is a very very minor spidery cracquelure in the hair and background centre right and there is a discoloured varnish overall which is blanching slightly in the background. Examination under ultraviolet light reveals very very minor cosmetic flecks in the sitter’s left check and temple and upper right and very very minor flecks to the aforementioned craquelure in the background and shoulder. There also appears to be some older strengthening to the top of the sitter’s head and to the contour of his left shoulder however further inspection is impeded by the varnish. The varnish appears to be been thinned in three peripheral places, possibly as cleaning test windows. Firstly along the lower and right hand canvas edges, secondly in the jacket lower centre and thirdly in the armpit lower right. Offered in a gilt wood and plaster frame with minor losses.
"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."

Born in Leith in 1722, the sitter joined the Royal army in 1745 to defend Edinburgh from the advancing Jacobite army before being taken prisoner at the Battle of Falkirk on 17^th January 1746 and held at Doune Castle from which he led an escape by means of rope blankets. Six months later he was ordained minister of Athelstaneford, in the Presbytery of Haddington. However the publication of his tragedy ‘Douglas’, championed by the literati, caused offence in church circles forcing him to tender his resignation the following year. In 1758 he was appointed secretary to Lord Bute, then secretary of state before becoming tutor to the Prince of Wales. 

We are grateful to Dr. Duncan Thomson for endorsing the attribution to Raeburn on the basis of photographs.