Studio of Sir Thomas Lawrence P.R.A. (1769-1830) Portrait of Anna Allnutt (1774-1819) Oil on...

Studio of Sir Thomas Lawrence P.R.A. (1769-1830)

Portrait of Anna Allnutt (1774-1819)

Oil on canvas

76 x 64cm; 30 x 25in

Provenance:

By descent in the family of the sitter until sold in 2015, along with other family portraits, by a direct descendant

Anna Allnutt was the sister of John Allnutt (1773-1863) of Clapham, who was one of Lawrence's most importrant patrons. When Lawrence died he owed John Allnutt £5,000 (the equivalent to around £300,000 today). Lawrence painted or drew almost every member of Allnutt's family including himself, both his wives, their children and his mother in law and also the sitter's daughter, Maria Woodgate and daughter in law, Harriott West.

The Victoria & Albert museum has dated the portrait by the sitter's attire to c.1810-15. Lawrence was in Paris for several weeks in 1815 and the portrait may have been completed in his absence.