half length, seated, wearing a black coat with brass buttons, holding a receipt inscribed and dated 1762, with a map of Papua or New Guinea beside, inscribed e Mano 1780

with Colnaghi, London by 1921;
with Leggat Brothers, London by 1930

H. Ward and W. Roberts, Romney; A Catalogue Raisonne, 1904, p. 58

ENGRAVED:

by Benjamin Smith, 1806.

STRUCTURE The canvas has been lined. PAINT SURFACE The painting appears to be in good, clean condition. ULTRAVIOLET Ultraviolet light reveals a small area of re-touching to the upper left of the canvas, and very minor and light re-touching above the head, and to the extreme right of the painting. FRAME Held in an ornate gilt wood frame.
"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."

The sitter was the son of William Fraser of Ledeclune and his wife Helen Ross. He joined the East India Company in 1760 and by 1772 had become Captain of the Lord Mansfield. His final voyage was in the 1783-1784 season as commander of the Earl of Mansfield. He was particularly notable as being one of the first to fix the longitude at sea through lunar observation. The reference on the map to New Guinea suggests that Fraser was involved with the efforts of Thomas Forest in 1774 to explore New Guinea and establish for the East India Company its trading potential. He was made Fellow of the Royal Society in 1791 and created a baronet in 1806. In 1786 he married Elizabeth Farquharson by whom he had three sons and eleven daughters.


Sittings are recorded for May and June 1792.