Attributed to William Aikman (Scottish, 1682-1731)

oil on canvas, in a painted feigned oval (Dimensions: 71 x 62 cm)

(71 x 62 cm)

Footnote: Provenance: By descent from the sitter; Christie's, London, 20 November 1992, lot 73; Wood Dalling Hall, Norfolk Other notes: John Hamilton-Leslie, 9th Earl of Rothes (1679-1722) was a Scottish nobleman, the eldest son of Charles Hamilton, 5th Earl of Haddington and Margaret Leslie, 8th Countess of Rothes. In 1701, he succeeded his mother as Earl of Rothes, the chief of Clan Leslie. John Hamilton-Leslie married Lady Jean Hay, the daughter of John Hay, 2nd Marquis of Tweeddale, of Yester, with whom he had eight sons and four daughters. In 1704, Hamilton-Leslie was appointed Keeper of the Privy Seal of Scotland. He was one of the sixteen Scottish Representative peers to sit in the English House of Lords. In 1714, he was appointed Vice Admiral of Scotland by George I and fought in the Jacobite rising of 1715 against the pretender, James Stuart. After the defeat of the Jacobites, Hamilton-Leslie became Governor of Stirling Castle. He died in 1722 at Leslie Castle, Aberdeenshire.

Condition report: Oil on canvas which has been lined. The tension is stiff and the picture is in plane. The paint layer is stable overall. There are a few scattered retouchings which are slightly matte and lighter than the surrounding paint layer. The varnish is even and glossy though slightly yellowed. There are several scuffs and an area of hazing in the lower left corner. There are some losses to the gilding on the frame.