Sir Thomas Lawrence, P.R.A.

John Loftus, 2nd Marquess of Ely (1770-1845), was a friend of Sir Thomas Lawrence's and an important political figure in both Ireland and England. He served as Lord of the Treasury for Ireland from 1800-1806, represented and governed County Wexford, and in 1807 he became a Knight of the Order of Saint Patrick. In 1810, he married Anna Maria Dashwood, later Marchioness of Ely, who was painted twice by Sir Thomas Lawrence between about 1805-1810, one version of which is in the Collection of the Fine Art Museum of San Francisco,¹ the other of which is in the Art Institute of Chicago.²  

The present portrait arose from within the Studio of Sir Thomas Lawrence, and it is of a high quality. That another studio version is known today at Tatton Park in England suggests the existence of a now-lost prime version. 

The portrait of Anna Maria in the Art Institute of Chicago and the Portrait of John Loftus at Tatton Park were both sold in the 25 July 1891 sale of John Loftus, 5th Marquess of Ely, as lots 68 and 69 respectively.  

1. Inv. no. 75.18.16, oil on canvas, 30 by 25 cm. See K. Garlick, "A catalogue of the paintings, drawings and pastels of Sir Thomas Lawrence," in The Volume of the Walpole Society, 1962-1964, vol. 39, p. 75.

2. Inv. no. 1951.199, oil on canvas, 30 by 25 cm. Garlick 1962-1964, p. 75.