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John Smart

(1741-1811) Miss Denton, later Mrs Murray, wearing powder blue satin robe à l'anglaise with fine lace trim, her light brown hair upswept and tightly curled

c. 1767

Watercolour on card in later gold frame with engraved border, the blue glass reverse with spray of hair

Oval, 1 7/8 in. (50 mm) high

Provenance

Lilian Mary Dyer, née Bose (1871-1955), a great-granddaughter of the artist; Christie's, London, 26 November 1937, lot 26 (part lot, 20 gns. to Hand)[1];

With Asprey & Co.;
Sotheby's, London, 17 July 1972, lot 45;
Christie's, London, 25 November 1987, lot 348;

Collection of the late Dr William Lindsay Gordon, Christie’s, London, 2 June 2009, lot 232;

Private Collection.

[1] This portrait could alternatively be the ‘Miss Denton’ sold by the artist’s great grandson, Christie’s, London, 15 February 1937, lot 18 (part). The back of the drawing would have been covered by the new frame by Asprey.