Holt Antique Furniture

Description

Mid 18th Century English School Antique Oil Portrait Painting For Sale - Inscribed Mary Pitt - Attrib to George Dowdney (Flourished 1730-50) - Mary Pitt Was The Youngest Sister to William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham.
Dowdney is a relatively obscure artist albeit he is recorded as being reponsible for the restoration of the majority of the painting colection at the country estate of Kingston Lacy, Dorset, the former home of the Bankes family (the property is now owned by The National Trust). Two paintings by the artist still hang in the property, John Bankes the Younger, MP (1692–1772), inscribed and dated 1733 verso and Henry Bankes the Elder, MP (1698–1776), dated 1734 verso.
Our portrait is inscribed Mary Pitt to the top right corner believed to be the youngest sister to William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham.
William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham PC (15 November 1708 – 11 May 1778) was a British statesman of the Whig group who led the government of Great Britain twice in the middle of the 18th century. Historians call him Pitt or Chatham, or William Pitt the Elder to distinguish from his son, William Pitt the Younger, who also was a prime minister. Pitt was also known as The Great Commoner, because of his long-standing refusal to accept a title until 1766.
Mary is recorded as passing away, unmarried on 7th December 1787.
This charming portrait is presented in its original gilt frame.
Condition - surface wear to the paint surface commensurate with age.
Dimensions 30" x 25" excluding frame / 37" x 32" with frame