Richard Cosway, R.A.

Richard Cosway was one of the leading artists of Georgian London, who enjoyed the friendship and patronage George, Prince of Wales. He was proud of his close association with the heir to the throne and would often signed his work: Primarius Pictor Sereniffimi Walliæ Principis. The present drawing is inscribed in this manner, together with the additional words: 'fecit London' and the date: 1787.

The sitter appears to be wearing the sash of the Spanish Order of Charles III. He stands at a desk, pointing at a letter, with Westminster Abbey clearly visible in the background. His identity is uncertain but it seems very likely that he is Bernardo del Campo y Pérez de la Serna, who was appointed Spanish Ambassador to the Court of St James in September 1787. It was in that year too that his King bestowed upon him the title of Marqués del Campo. 

Until recently this drawing formed part of a collection in Spain and it was entirely unknown to scholars. 

We are grateful to Dr Stephen Lloyd for his assistance in cataloguing this lot.