AFTER NATHANIEL DANCE, PORTRAIT OF LORD FREDERICK NORTH (1732-1792)

AFTER NATHANIEL DANCE PORTRAIT OF LORD FREDERICK NORTH (1732-1792), 2ND EARL OF GUILFORDOil on canvas127 x 101.5cm (50 x 39¾ in.)Better known by his title, Lord North, which he primarily used between 1752 and 1790. North was Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1770-1782. The original work is held in the National Portrait Gallery's primary collection (NPG 3627). Literature: Sir George Sitwell, A brief history of Weston Hall, Northamptonshire, and of the families that possessed it, London, privately printed 1927, p. 78, in the Drawing Room. Catalogue Note:The Original portrait is in the National Portrait Gallery, by Nathaniel Dance, and dated 1773-74. It has the same dimensions as this portrait.This portrait shows Frederick, Lord North, 2nd Earl of Guilford, K.G. (1732-1793), either in his office as Chancellor of the Exchequer or as Chancellor of the University of Oxford, wearing the garter which he had received in 1772. Better known by his courtesy title Lord North, which he used from 1752 to 1790, he served as Lord of the Treasury (1759-65) and Chancellor of the Exchequer (1767-82), before being appointed Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1770 to 1782. He was Prime Minister during most of the American War of Independence (1775-83).In 1756, he married Anne Speke (c. 1741-97) of Whitelackington in Somerset with whom he had seven children. His eldest daughter was Catherine Anne North (1760-1817), who married Sylvester Douglas, 1st Baron Glenbervie (1743-1823). Their only son, Frederick Sylvester North Douglas (1791-1819) was the first husband of Harriet Wrightson (1788-1864); Harriet inherited Weston Hall in 1809 from her maiden aunt, Mary Heber. The present portrait is after the original by Nathaniel Dance in the National Portrait Gallery (NPG 3627), London. Numerous versions exist including those at the Bodleian Library, Oxford (given in 1805); Trinity College, Oxford (bought in 1817); the Carlton Club; Dalmeny (Rosebery sale, Christie's, 5 May 1939, lot 36), and another was offered by Graves to the NPG in 1891. There are engravings by T. Burke (1775), Warren, W.T. Mote, R.H. Cromek, and E. Bocquet.Condition Report: The canvas has been relined. Surface dirt, scratches and abrasions throughout. There has been a reaction with the darker pigment (largely to the trim of the sitter's robes) which has caused some unevenness to the surface. Rubbing to the framing edges and stretcher marks visible. There is a small area to the top right edge of the canvas where it has started to undulate slightly. Inspection under UV reveals scattered retouching. The presence of a green cloudy masking varnish may be obscuring further retouching or restoration.Condition Report Disclaimer