Lot 32
32
Circle of Sir Joshua Reynolds, P.R.A. (1723-1792)
VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price plus bu… Read more THE PROPERTY OF THE COLUMBUS MUSEUM OF FINE ART, COLUMBUS, OHIO
Circle of Sir Joshua Reynolds, P.R.A. (1723-1792)

Portrait of William Robert Fitzgerald, 2nd Duke of Leinster, K.P. (1749-1804), half-length, seated in a fur-lined red velvet coat and buff waistcoat

Details
Circle of Sir Joshua Reynolds, P.R.A. (1723-1792)
Portrait of William Robert Fitzgerald, 2nd Duke of Leinster, K.P. (1749-1804), half-length, seated in a fur-lined red velvet coat and buff waistcoat
oil on canvas
28¼ x 36 in. (71.4 x 91.05 cm.)
Provenance
General Bulwer, Heydon Hall, Norwich.
Thatcher M. Adams; American Art Association, New York, 15 January 1920, lot 148 (bought by William Randolph Hearst);
William Randolph Hearst. Frederick W.Schumacher Collection by 1938;
Columbus Gallery of Fine Art, Columbus, Ohio, no. 39.27, Frederick W.Schumacker Bequest 1957.
Literature
P. Adams, 'Mr Schumacher buys for Columbus', Art News, 16 Decembr 1939, pp. 11, 17.
J.D. Morse, Old Masters in America, New York, 1955, p. 141.
W.R. Valentiner, The Frederick Schumacher Collection, Columbis, 1955, pp. 15, 28.
E. Speath, American Art Museums and Galleries, New York, 1960, p. 126.
L. Cuthbert, Portrait Register, Asheville, 1968, pp. 224, 288, 623. E. Spaeth, American Art Museums, New York, 1969, p. 197.
D. Mannings, Sir Joshua Reynolds. A Complete Catalogue of his Paintings, New Haven & London, 2000, p. 191, cat. no. 625a.
Special notice
VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price plus buyer's premium.

Lot Essay

William Robert Fitzgerald was the second son of James, 1st Duke of Leinster by Lady Emily Lennox. He was elected a Member of Parliament for Dublin and the county of Kildare in the general election of 1769. In 1773 he succeeded his father as 2nd Duke of Leinster and soon after married Olivia, only daughter and heiress of St. George Ussher, Lord St. George. Following his succession he rather eschewed politics although his high rank and influential connections caused his support to be sought by all parties. Indeed Leinster was one of the first persons consulted by Lord Cornwallis regarding the proposed Act of Union and was handsomely compensated for the loss of his influence and interest after the act had been passed. The Duke of Leinster is the central figure in Francis Wheatley's famous picture, A view of College Gren with a meeting of the Volunteers on 4 November 1779 to commemorate the birthday of King William (National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin).

More from The Irish Sale

View All
View All