Old Masters, British & European Paintings - 12th September 2017
Lot 2
λ John Smart (1741-1811) Portrait miniature of Baron Crewe
Estimate £2,000 - £3,000 | Hammer £2000
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Description
λ John Smart (1741-1811)
Portrait miniature of Baron Crewe, head and shoulders, wearing a green coat and waistcoat
Signed with initials and dated 1781
Oval, in later gold and gilt metal frame
47 x 34mm
Provenance:
The Crewe Family, Scotland
By the time this portrait of John Crewe, 1st Baron Crewe was painted in 1781 Crewe, who was born in 1742, was a seasoned politician and MP for Cheshire, a position he held for 34 years. He was best known for Crewe's Act, passed in 1782 which prevented customs officers and post office officials from voting in an effort to prevent corruption. Crewe was painted by Pompeo Batoni whilst on his Grand Tour and later in life he sat for Thomas Lawrence.