Henry Edridge, A.R.A.
Portrait of H.R.H. Princess Sophia (1777-1848)
Lot Closed
July 6, 01:27 PM GMT
Estimate
3,000 - 5,000 GBP
Lot Details
Description
Henry Edridge, A.R.A.
Paddington 1769 - 1821 London
Portrait of H.R.H. Princess Sophia (1777-1848)
Watercolour and pencil;
signed and dated lower right: H. Edridge 1815, inscribed on a label attached to the backboard: H.R.H. Princess Sophia / by H. EDRIDGE
346 by 248 mm
J. Thursby Pelham;
Mrs Guy Argles,
by descent until,
sale, London, Christie's, 7 November 1995, lot 63,
where acquired by the present owner
The sitter, the sixth child and second daughter of George III and Queen Charlotte, was born at Buckingham House on 8 November🐼 1777. A shy, retiring child, she was close to her sister Elizabeth and was happiest staying at home. She corresponded frequently with her brother William while he was on military service, and they exchanged presents. In 1797 she received a marriage proposal from Prince Frederick of Sweden, which her parents did not approve. She became close to Sir Brent Spencer, a gallant Anglo-Irish officer who served with Wellington in the Peninsular War and had been made equerry to King George in 1805. It was rumored that they were secretly married in private.
There are two drawings by Edridge of the Princess held at Windsor Castle within the Royal Collection.1
1. A.P. Oppé, English Drawings, Stuart and Georgian Periods, in the Collection of His Majesty the King at Windsor Castle, London 1950, nos. 220 & 222.