Commissioned from the artist by the sitter's cousin, John Trotter (1756-1833), Dyrham Park, South Mimms, Hertfordshire;
Captain Frederick Liddell Trotter (1898-1961);
His sale, London, Christie's, 19th May 1939, lot 144 (bt. by Morley);
William ꦓRandolph Hearst (1863-1951), Los♉ Angeles and New York 

STRUCTURE The canvas has been firmly relined. PAINT SURFACE The painting appears to be in very good condition with no appraent damage or loss of paint. There is a very fine craquelure visibile in the sitter's forehead. ULTRAVIOLET Examination under ultraviolet light reveals minor infilling to the craquelure mentioned above as well as scattered minor retouching to the background and costume particularly concentrated on the shoulders, letter and hands - the face however remains for the most part untouched. There is likewise retouching to what appear to be three old vertical repaired tears and one old horizontal repaired tear - the largest of which measures approx 6in. and runs vertically through the sitter's shoulder. FRAME Held in a gilt plaster and wood frame. To speak to a specialist about this lot please contact Julian Gascoigne on +44 (0)207 293 5482, or at julian.gascoigne@laitexier.com, or Ludo Shaw Stewart on +44 (0)207 293 5816, or at ludovic.shawstewart@laitexier.com.
"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."

Born in 1772, the sitter enjoyed a brief stint as Secretary to the Governor of Ceylon from 1801-1803 before becoming a merchant banker in Madras at Francis & Latour & Co. As the business prospered he took control renaming the company Arbuthnot and Co., which would become one of the best known British commercial enterprises in nineteenth century Madras. This portrait was commissioned by the sitter's cousin John Trotter, the founder of the 'Soho Bazaar' to hangꩵ in his Hertfordshire estate Dryham Park.