The Bowden family;
Herbert Stern, 1st Baron Michelham (1851-1919), London, 1906;
His deceased sale, London, Hampton & Sons, 23 November 1926, lot 289;
Where acquired by Mr. and Mrs. William A. Fisher, Detroit;
By whom given to the Detroit Institute of Arts in 1951;
By whom sold, New York, Sotheby's, 21 May 1998, lot 89;
There acquired by Bernadette and William M.B. Berger, Denver, Colorado.

Detroit, Michigan, In the Grand Manner, British Paintings from the Detroit Institute of Arts, Statewide Services Traveling Exhibition, 1985;
Denver, The Denver Art Museum, 600 Years of British Painting, The Berger Collection at The Denver Art Museum, 10 October 1998 - 28 March 1999.

W. McKay and W. Roberts, John Hoppner, RA, London 1909, p. 331;
Bulletin of the Detroit Institute of Arts, vol. XXXII, no. 1. 1952-1953, p. 2, reproduced;
E. P. Richardson, "The Bowden Children by John Hoppner," in Art Quarterly, vol. XV, no. 2, 1952, pp. 182-185, reproduced;
The Detroit Institute of Arts, Paintings in the Detroit Institute of Arts : a check list of the paintings acquired before June, 1965, Detroit 1965, p. 54;
600 Years of British Painting, The Berger Collection at The Denver Art Museum, Denver 1998, p. 145, reproduced.

The painting has a relining which is flat and stable. The painting is presentable as is. The paint surface has been slightly pressed in the relining and there is some thinness in the right side of the sky, however overall the surface has been nicely preserved and reads very well in the figures and landscape. Examination under UV reveals retouching in the sky at upper right over what appears to be a small puncture, and over a diagonal scratch. Other very small retouches scattered in sky area. There is some retouching to the faces: very small ones to address craquelure on his face, and a few on her cheeks and nose. Some other retouching on his right sleeve, left cuff, to address craquelure on white dress, and in brown background at middle right. A few others scattered. There is no need for further work and the painting can be hung in its present state. In an elaborately carved and 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.
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.

Hoppner was a neighbor of the Bowden family in Fulham at the time this double portrait was painted.  John William, age five, is shown next to his sister Mary Anne, age three.  Sadly, Mary Anne died when she was only nineteen.  John grew up to be a prominent figure in the literary world and the Anglican Church.  He studied at Trinity College, Oxford, where he became friends with the religious activist, John Henry Newman (later Cardinal Newman).  At the time of Bowden's death in 1844, Newman saw this portrait and commented on the significance of the church, probably Fulham Church, depicted in the left background: when young Bowden had been asked how he wanted to be depicted he had replied "drawing a church."¹

1.  See 600 Years of Painting..., (under Literature), p. 145.