Manner of John Hoppner, Second Half 19th Century
Portrait of a Lady, Possibly Lady Lawson
oil on canvas
89 x 54 1/4 inches.

Note:
This painting is suggested to represent Lady Lawson because of its close similarity with a portrait referenced in John Hoppner's catalogue raisonne, published in 1909.[1] The description of Hoppner's Lady Lawson portrait is similar in dimensions to the present lot and similarly depicts the figure "standing in a landscape and leaning against a pillar, looking to her left; in black dress cut low." While this original work surely still existed in 1909 when the catalogue raisonne was published, Brayton Hall, the ancestral home of the Lawson family where the original painting was located, burned down in 1918, and the painting was likely destroyed.
Dr. John Wilson, the expert on John Hoppner who wrote The life and work of John Hoppner (1758-1810) in 1992, has reviewed the present lot and noted that the paint handling style portrayed is different than that of Hoppner and that the clothing and hairstyle of this portrait date to after Hoppner's lifetime"”possibly from the mid-to-late 19th century. During this period, British portraiture of this sort was exceedingly popular with the French public, leading Dr. Wilson to believe that this work is a copy made after Hoppner (or a similarly well-known contemporary of Hoppner's, William Beechey) rendered by a French artist for this growing market. That there are French labels and stamps on the stretcher supports this claim. It is possible that the original Lady Lawson portrait was copied via engraving (or possibly photographed, though this is less likely) and that this unknown French artist had access to the engraving for reference when creating the present work.
[1] William Mackay, et al., John Hoppner, R.A. [A catalogue raisonné, with sixty-four plates], P. & D. Colnaghi & Co.; George Bell & Sons, London, 1909, pp. 152

Frame: 93 1/4 x 57 1/2 inches.Condition reports are available upon request. All lots are sold "as is," in the condition they are in at the time of the auction. The physical condition of lots can vary due to age, normal wear and tear, previous damage, and restoration. Prospective buyers are strongly advised to inspect a lot personally or through a knowledgeable representative prior to bidding. The absence of any reference to the condition of a lot does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections, or the effects of aging. Prospective buyers must review and agree to the Conditions of Sale before participating in an auction, and it is the responsibility of the buyer to ensure that they have requested, received and considered any condition report.