Holland family;
Anonymous sale, London, Sotheby's, 19 July 1972, lot 35 (as "J. Reynolds");
There purchased by the family of the present owner.

The following condition report has been provided by Simon Parkes of Simon Parkes Art Conservation, Inc. 502 East 74th St. New York, NY 212-734-3920, simonparkes@msn.com, an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. This work has not been recently restored. The canvas has an old lining. Although there is an inscription on the reverse of this lining, the lining should be changed as the surface is very badly distorted. Bitumen used in the dark colors around the face on the right side of the head and in the lower right corner has distorted the paint layer quite noticeably, but the condition is quite healthy throughout much of the remainder of the picture. The best approach to cleaning may be a surface clean, and the work would be greatly improved if the lining were addressed to relax the surface.
"This lot is offered for sale subject to Sotheby's Conditions of Business, which are available on request and printed in Sotheby's sale catalogues. The independent reports contained in this document are provided for prospective bidders' information only and without warranty by Sotheby's or the Seller."

The composition is after the work by Reynolds, with some differences, in the Wallace Collection, London.