Circle of Sir Joshua Reynolds P.R.A. Portrait of a lady

Circle of Sir Joshua Reynolds P.R.A.

Portrait of a lady, believed to be Mrs. Elizabeth Viscount Davies (1730-1794) with her husband's ship 'Hope' beyond

Oil on canvas

76 x 63cm; 30 x 25in

Provenance:

By direct descent in the family of the sitter in America until sold in 2011 with the portrait of her husband, whose provenance was the same

Elizabeth Davies, of Dutch origin, was the wife of Capt. Benjamin Davies (1728-1777), a New York Master Mariner whose family had emigrated from Bristol in 1750. He sailed to England many times and was painted by Sir Joshua Reynolds c.1758-61 (Ref. Mannings catalogue No. 485). Reynold's sitter's book and ledgers indicate sittings for 'Mr' Davies or Davis: Nov. 6th 1758 (and in 1761) and also for 'Miss' Davies or Davis during the same week: 9th, 11th, 21st November 1758 (Cat. No. 486, part of). There was also a payment of 20gns 'Capt. Davies for a Lady' recorded in 1761