Hugh Douglas Hamilton

Painted for the sitter’s husband, Sir William Hamilton (1730–1803), Palazzo Sessa, Naples;

Almost certainly in the collection of William Beckford (1760–1844), Fonthill Abbey and Lansdown Tower, Bath, and thence by descent to his daughter, Susan, who married Alexander, 10th Duke of Hamilton (1767–1852);

Thence by descent at Hamilton Palace and Lennoxlove House, Scotland.

Inventory of Sir William Hamilton’s paintings at the Palazzo Sessa, British Library. Add. MS 41,200, f. 122 (listed hanging in the room next to the Library: Lady H. in 3 different views in the same picture – by Hamilton.);

1852/1853 Hamilton Palace Inventory, Hamilton Archive, Lennoxlove, Volume 1228, p .156 (as ‘Lady Hamilton in 3 Views’ – hanging in the Old Dining Room on the ground floor);

1876 Hamilton Palace Inventory, Hamilton Town House Library, Hamilton Ms., p. 246 (as ‘Lady Hamilton. Three positions’ – hanging in the Old Dining Room);

Undated Ms. inventory of the contents of the 13th Duke of Hamilton's flat in Cleveland House, St James’s Square, London, circa 1920s, Hamilton Archive, Lennoxlove, Bundle 2239, p. 30 (as ‘A. Kauffman; Three heads of girls; 14” X 17½”.’ – hanging in the Dining Room);

C. Knight, 'La quiadreria di Sir William Hamilton a Palazzo Sessa', in Napoli Nobilissima, vol. XXIV, 1985, p. 52;

I. Jenkins and K. Sloan, Vases & Volcanoes. Sir William Hamilton and his Collection, exh. cat., London 1996, pp. 262–63, no. 162, reproduced in colour;

A. Crookshank & The Knight of Glin, Ireland’s Painters 1660–1940, New Haven and London 2002, pp. 106–07, reproduced in colour, fig. 139;

A. Hodge et al., Hugh Douglas Hamilton (1740–1808). A life in pictures, exh. cat., Dublin 2008, pp. 74–75, reproduced in colour and on the front cover (detail).