JOHN SMART (BRITISH, 1742/1743-1811)

Prospective purchasers are advised that several co… Read more

Details

JOHN SMART (BRITISH, 1742/1743-1811)
A young lady, traditionally called Emily, Countess of Bellamont, née FitzGerald (1752-1818), in white dress with pearl-encrusted bodice and standing lace collar, the sleeves embroidered with pearls, pearl choker and drop pearl earring, gold and pearl crown in her strawberry blonde upswept hair
signed in full and dated 'J. Smart / pinx^{t<\sup>. / 1773' (lower left)

on ivory

oval, 2.1/8 in. (54 mm.) high, silver-gilt frame}

Provenance

Sotheby's, Zurich, 24 November 1978, lot 147 (as 'in the manner of John Smart').
With Mrs Pat Lasky, London.
Betty L. Knorr (1919-1987) Collection, London.
Christie's, London, 30 April 1996, lot 78.

Special notice

Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country.

Brought to you by

Katharine Cooke

kcooke@christies.com +44 (0)20 7389 2343

Lot Essay

Emily, Countess of Bellamont, née FitzGerald was one of nineteen children of James, 1st Duke of Leinster (1722-1773) and Lady Emily Lennox (1731-1814), see lot 86. In 1773/1774, she married Charles Coote, Baron Coote of Coolony and Earl of Bellamont. They had one son (b. 1776) who died young and four daughters. She died in Penzance, Cornwall.
A portrait of Emily, Countess of Bellamont is listed in D. Foskett, John Smart, The Man and his Miniatures, London, 1964, p. 62. This miniature may have been painted on the occasion of her engagement or marriage.

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