Lot Essay
John, 6th Duke of Bedford was a renowned patron of contemporary artists and commissioned major works from Bonington, Leslie, Allan and others.
Asking for a picture 'relating to the manners of the South', he left the final descisions to the artist. Eastlake wrote: 'It has cost me, as every picture does now, much trouble - more than the result would indicate - perhaps so better. I feel more than ever the importance of graceful arrangement,...' (Lady Eastlake, op.cit., p. 114). Eastlake was later to paint versions and variants for Earl Grey, 1835; The Marquis of Lansdowne, a very 'long' version, with companions, 22 x 66in., 1836; Francis Graham Moon, a copy of the Grey picture, 42 x 66in., 1836; and George Vivian of Chasleton and Bath, 32 x 41in., 1841.
Asking for a picture 'relating to the manners of the South', he left the final descisions to the artist. Eastlake wrote: 'It has cost me, as every picture does now, much trouble - more than the result would indicate - perhaps so better. I feel more than ever the importance of graceful arrangement,...' (Lady Eastlake, op.cit., p. 114). Eastlake was later to paint versions and variants for Earl Grey, 1835; The Marquis of Lansdowne, a very 'long' version, with companions, 22 x 66in., 1836; Francis Graham Moon, a copy of the Grey picture, 42 x 66in., 1836; and George Vivian of Chasleton and Bath, 32 x 41in., 1841.