Sir Joshua Reynolds P.R.A.

half length, standing in a landscape wearing a white dress and pink fur lined shawl Oil on canvas

By descent from the sitter within the Penrhyn family until sold;
Anonymous sale ('The Property of a Gentleman'), London, Christie's, 10 November 1995, lot 22.

A. Graves and W. Cronin, A History of the Works of Sir Joshua Reynolds, London 1901, p. 1384;
D. Mannings, Sir Joshua Reynolds: A Complete Catalogue of his Paintings, New Haven, 2000, p. 372, cat. no 1425, reproduced p. 447, fig. 1126.

The canvas has been relined and the painting was recently cleaned. There are retouchings on her neck and chest. Inspection under ultra violet light reveals traces of varnish and minor retouchings to her hair, some to the lower side of the painting and the darker parts in the background. Overall the painting is in good condition and offered in the carved gilded frame in good condition.
"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 General Hugh Warburton (1695-1771) of Winnington Hall, Cheshire, and his wife, Anne, granddaughter of Sir Robert Williams, 2nd Bt. of Penrhyn. In 1765 she married Richard Pennant, 1st Baron Penrhyn (1737-1808) and in so doing became co-heiress to the estates of Penrhyn, Carnarvonshire, which were reunited by the marriage - Pennant's father, John (d. 1781), had previously purchased the other parts of the estates from the Yonge family.

Richard Pennant became M.P. for Petersfield (1761-67) and later Liverpool (1767-80 and 1784-90). He was responsible for developing the Penrhyn slate quarry which gave an important impetus to the Welsh slate trade. He was created Baron Penrhyn in 1783, but the title became extinct on his death in 1808. Anne died childless at Penrhyn Castle in 1816, and the estates of Penrhyn passed to her husband's cousin, George Henry Dawkins.