Lot Essay
An old inscription on the backing paper reads 'The Honble Colonel Robert Fielding painted by Bernard Lens, Son of John Fielding of Solhill, Warwick. On coming to London to study law he was re- marked by the King as "handsome Fielding", and as he dressed in the most expensive way he was usually called "Beau Fielding"; married Mary, daughter of Viscount Carlingford, after whose death he dissipated the whole fortune of her family; becoming impoverished he married one Mary Wadsworth, taking her to be a Mad. Deloune with a large fortune; conceal- ing this he was married to the Duchess of Cleveland, who prosecuted him for bigamy; he was found guilty but pardoned by Queen Anne'.