George Carter, (Colchester 1737-1794 London)

The Adair Family: A Conversation Piece

The Adair Family: A Conversation Piece
signed and dated 'G Carter/ Pinxit 1774' (on tree, centre right)
oil on canvas
100.9 x 115cm (39 3/4 x 45 1/4in).

Provenance
Robin Adair
Mrs Clavering
The Rev. & Hon. John Lowther Barrington (1805-1897), by descent to
Mrs Russell Barrington
Private Collection

Literature
E Crosby-Heath, 'Robin Adair', The Connoisseur, London 1925, pp. 130-135 (as by Thomas Gainsborough)

The present work depicts Robert "Robin" Adair, Surgeon-General to George III, with his three children: Robert, later a prominent MP painted by Thomas Gainsborough; the young lady seated is said to be the future Mrs Clavering; and the younger girl in the centre is Elizabeth, the future Viscountess Barrington.