Anonymous sale, New York, February 17, 1944;
Anonymous sale ("The Property of a Lady"), London, Sotheby's, July 6, 1983, lot 241;
With Richard Feigen, New York;
From whom purchased by a private collector, New York;
By whom anonymously sold ("The Property of a Private Collector"), New York, Sotheby's, 27 May 2004, lot 286;
There purchased by the present owner. 

London, Royal Academy, 1787, no. 384.

E. Bénézit, Dictionnaire critique et documentaire des Peintres, Sculpteurs, Dessinateurs et Graveurs, Paris 1976, vol. 2, p. 657;
E. Bénézit, Dictionnaire critique et documentaire des Peintres, Sculpteurs, Dessinateurs et Graveurs, Paris 1999, vol. 3, p. 468.

The canvas is relined and stable. The paint surface overall is well preserved with good impasto in areas and strong coloration. Inspection under UV reveals fine inpainting to address the craquelure pattern in the flesh tones of the figures, particularly in the face of the central girl, and in the craquelure in the sky. There is retouching along the right edge, particularly in the upper section. There are other small retouches here and there though these have been sensitively applied and, for a canvas of this size, the painting has survived remarkably well. While some of the retouches could perhaps be reapplied, the painting could happily be hung in its present state. Offered in an elaborate carved gilt wood frame with an oak leaf and acorn motif with some nicks and losses.
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.
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 PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Chandler was the natural son of the 2nd Earl of Warwick.  He developed a style similar to Hoppner and Romney.  Three of his portraits are at Eton College.

The oil sketch for this portrait is at Belton House near Grantham in Lincolnshire, which was the seat of the Brownlow and Cust family.  The children depicted have🐓 traditionally been thought to be Cust children and were probably the four elder daughters of the second marriage of the 1st Baron Brownlow.  We are g🌞rateful to Alastair Laing for providing this information.