- 221
Sir Edwin Henry Landseer, R.A.
Description
- Sir Edwin Henry Landseer, R.A.
- Portrait of a lady with a dog, probably Lady Louisa Jane Hamilton, Duchess of Abercorn (1812-1905)
- extensively but indistinctly inscribed on an old label, verso, identifying the sitter as the Duchess of Bedford
- oil on panel, framed as an oval
Provenance
Anonymous sale, unknown date, lot 932 (as 'the Duchess of Bedford', according to a label, verso);
Anonymous sale, London, Christie’s, 17 November 1967, lot 41 (as 'a portrait of the Duchess of Bedford'), where acquired by the present owners.
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."
Catalogue Note
The wife of John Russell, 6th Duke of Bedford, a close friend and admirer of Landseer’s, and one of his most important patrons, Georgiana, Duchess of Bedford was reputedly the artist’s mistress. He became a favourite among the family and stayed with them regularly, both at Woburn, the family seat in Bedfordshire, and at Glenfeshie in the Highlands. Twenty years her junior, Landseer’s first recorded visit to Woburn was in 1823, by which time the Duchess would have been forty-two years old. The sitter in this portrait is clearly much younger than that; however it could well be one of her three daughters. The most likely candidate is Lady Louisa Jane Russell (1812-1905), who in 1832 married James Hamilton, 2nd Marquess and later 1st Duke of Abercorn. Louisa would have been in her late teens or early twenties at the time this portrait was painted and the facial features and glossy ringleted black hair of the sitter compare closely with known portraits of her.
We are grateful to Richard Ormond for his assistance with the cataloguing of this lot.