Portrait of John Angerstein, M.P., half-length, in profile to the left, wearing a high stock and a jacket

Lawrence first met John Angerstein (1772/3-1858) around 1790, when Angerstein’s father, John Julius, took charge of the artist's financial affairs. Angerstein Senior moved in literary and artistic circles and commissioned Sir Joshua Reynolds to paint his children John and Julia (see lot 77) in an intimate double portrait which was reproduced in mezzotint by James Scott, published by Henry Graves. John Angerstein eschewed his father’s business in favour of living the life of a gentleman. He entered politics and was elected as M.P. for Camelford, Cornwall in 1796, aged 24. In the present drawing he is depicted as a young man – his strong profile elegant, sporting a high stock in the latest fashion. A portrait in oils by Lawrence of John Angerstein was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1830, and sold in these Rooms, 18 December 1953, lot 5. There is also a copy by John Smart.