LOT DETAILS

Materials:

oil on paper, laid on canvas

Size Notes:

PORTRAIT OF LADY MARY LESLIE (1753-99), FULL-LENGTH, WITH LAMBS IN A LANDSCAPE

Edition:

An extremely rare survival, this sketch is a compositional study for Reynoldsâ?? Portrait of Mary Leslie, part of the Iveagh Bequest at Kenwood House, London (painted in 1764).1 The present sketch is one of only a handful of surviving studies which Reynolds was known to have completed for his more ambitious portrait commissions.2 The sketch displays numerous differences in the composition: to the pose of the lamb to the lower right; the more elaborate headdress; and in the omission of the bunches of flowers, which appear in the finished work. Lady Mary Leslie was the youngest daughter of John Leslie, 10th Earl of Rhothes (1698-1767), and was married to William Colyear, 3rd Earl of Portmore (1745-1823).

Markings:

Recovered by the Monuments, Fine Art and Archives Section at Alt Aussee, Austria (no. 204/5);

Condition:

The paper support is pasted to a stable canvas lining. The painted surface is in good order. Under ultra-violet light scattered retouching are apparent, including to an old horizontal split or tear across the centre. These have been well done, and the painting requires no further treatment, being ready to hang in its giltwood drawing-style frame. The lot is sold in the condition it is in at the time of sale. The condition report is provided to assist you with assessing the condition of the lot and is for guidance only. Any reference to condition in the condition report for the lot does not amount to a full description of condition. The images of the lot form part of the condition report for the lot provided by Sotheby's. Certain images of the lot provided online may not accurately reflect the actual condition of the lot. In particular, the online images may represent colours and shades which are different to the lot's actual colour and shades. The condition report for the lot may make reference to particular imperfections of the lot but you should note that the lot may have other faults not expressly referred to in the condition report for the lot or shown in the online images of the lot. The condition report may not refer to all faults, restoration, alteration or adaptation because Sotheby's is not a professional conservator or restorer but rather the condition report is a statement of opinion genuinely held by Sotheby's. For that reason, Sotheby's condition report is not an alternative to taking your own professional advice regarding the condition of the lot. 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 INCLUDED IN THE CATALOGUE.