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Lot Essay
Thomas Leverton was the first surveyor of the Phoenix Assurance Company, from 1783 until his apparent resignation in 1813. Leverton built a fire-engine house in Old Cockspur St in 1794, on a site now occupied by Canada House. This portrait hung in Phoenix House until 1984.
John Russell was one of the great British pastellists of the eighteenth century. A pupil of Francis Cotes and Rosalba Carriera, he studied at the St. Martin's Lane Academy. Later he was appointed 'Painter to the King and Prince of Wales.' From 1771 he exhibited at the Royal Academy and became acquainted with the President of the Academy, Sir Joshua Reynolds, whose work became a major influence. Russell was much acclaimed during his lifetime and from time to time commanded even higher prices than Reynolds.
John Russell was one of the great British pastellists of the eighteenth century. A pupil of Francis Cotes and Rosalba Carriera, he studied at the St. Martin's Lane Academy. Later he was appointed 'Painter to the King and Prince of Wales.' From 1771 he exhibited at the Royal Academy and became acquainted with the President of the Academy, Sir Joshua Reynolds, whose work became a major influence. Russell was much acclaimed during his lifetime and from time to time commanded even higher prices than Reynolds.