A Portrait of Frances, second wife of Thomas, 1st Earl of Exeter, attributed to Jonathan Richardson (1667-1745), after Sir Anthony Van Dyck (1599-1641).

Oil on canvas, 132cm by 105.4cm.

Frances Brydges (c.1580-1663), was the daughter of William, 4th Baron Chandos.

The painting was sold at the Strawberry Hill sale of Horace Walpole’s renowned collection in 1842, when it was bought by an art dealer.

It subsequently passed several times through the art market before being bought by the 3rd Marquess of Exeter (1825-1895), in 1876.

The artist was a noted portrait painter who is said to have influenced the works of both William Hogarth (1697-1764) and Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723-1792).

He is also known to have formed one of the most important collections of Old Master paintings of his time.

REFERENCE: PIC121

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