Sir Joshua Reynolds, P.R.A.

Major W.J. Goldsmith;
With Sabin Galleries, Ltd., London;
Forbes Collection, New York;
By whom sold, New York, Sotheby's 28 January 1999, lot 485.

E. Waterhouse, "Reynolds's 'Sitter Book' for 1755,", in The Volume of the Walpole Society, vol. 41, 1966-1968, p. 165 (as circa 1744-1746);
D. Mannings, Sir Joshua Reynolds, A Complete Catalogue of His Paintings, New Haven and London 2000, Text vol., p. 416, cat. no. 1625, Plates vol., reproduced plate 2 and fig. 15.

Canvas is lined and stable on its stretcher. It presents a strong image beneath a clear varnish. Although some of the darks in the background have lost some definition, the details within the figure and his costume are well preserved, although slightly pressed in areas. There is some craquelure visible in his face, but this is stable and not too distracting, and there are a few faint lines of inconsistency to varnish scattered here and there that are also not distracting. Two thin scuffs to the varnish in the background above the figure's head. Inspection under UV reveals some scattered spots of retouching to the background, primarily concentrated around the edges, with some spots above dog in lower right and a thin line in background at upper right, for example. There are only a few scattered fine and small spots of retouching in the costume, primarily in the shadows, with one line of retouching in his hip at lower left. There are possibly some old small spots of retouching in the figure's face. Offered in a decoratively carved giltwood frame.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The sitter was the son of the 4^th Viscount Massereene (d.1738) and his wife, Lady Catherine Chichester.  He was married firstly in 1738 to Anne, daughter of Richard Daniel, dean of Down, and secondly in 1741 to Anne, only daughter of Henry Eyre of Rowter, co. Derby.  He was created Earl of Massereene in 1756. 

Sir Ellis Waterhouse dated this portrait to 1744-46, however David Mannings dates it to perhaps a year or two later, comparing it to the portrait of Captain George Edgcumbe in The National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, painted in circa 1748, and noting that “the sunset sky and landscape background are among Reynold’s most ambitious, and most ‘Venetian’ inventions so far.”¹

1.  See D. Mannings, under Literature.