Double portrait of the artists, small full-length, the former holding a letter and a walking stick in his right hand, the latter seated, holding a canvas, by a tree in a lakeside landscape

This is a smaller version of the picture in the National Portrait Gallery (NPG 4117). It is possible that it was the portrait bequeathed by James Lambert of Lewes, to Lieutenant Samuel Baker R.A., stationed at Brighton, as recorded by Coke, and mentioned in The Smith Brothers of Chichester (op.cit, p.78). An engraving by Woollett suggests that the standing figure is likely to be George Chichester. Although there are small differences between the landscapes in the two versions, Rosemary Baird has noted that the imaginary landscape in the present picture, with its rustic round tower standing above staggered rooftops, is typical of the brothers' work, as is the stylised painting of the trees.

George and John Smith were born in Chichester to William Smith, a tradesman. Their brother, William (1707-1764), was also an artist. Charles, 2nd Duke of Richmond and Lennox (1701-1750) was a major patron of the brothers. Between 1760 and 1763, the Smith brothers took a number of prizes for landscape, such as the premium offered by the Society for the Encouragement of the Arts, Manufactures and Commerce.

We are grateful to Rosemary Baird, Curator of the Goodwood Collection, for her help in the cataloguing of this picture.