Lot 20: Alexis-Simon Belle , Paris 1674 - 1734 Portrait of the Hon Mildmay Fane (1689-1715) oil on canvas, held in a British Baroque style frame

three-quarter length, standing wearing a silk embroidered coat with a blue cloak, his right hand on his hip, his left arm resting on a plinth, with a landscape beyond to the right later inscribed l.l.; My. fifth son of/ vere E. of Westmorland, and insribed on label, verso; Mildmay - 5th - son of/ the 4th Earl of Westmorland/ purchased by Augusta Fane - at the sale/ of the Apethorpe pictures - June 1892 oil on canvas, held in a British Baroque style frame

measurements note 125.5 by 100 cm., 49 1/2 by 39 1/2 in.

By family descent at Apethorpe Hall, Wansford, Northamptonshire until sold in the Apethorpe sale, Christie's, 2nd June 1892, lot 91 (bt. by Augusta Fane)

The sitter was the fifth son of Vere Fane, 4th Earl of Westmorland (1645-1693) and his wife Rachel, daughter of John Beare, Alderman of London. He was born at Mereworth and served as M.P. for Kent 1714-1715. He was heir to his cousin Thomas Fane M.P. (1626-1692) from whom he inherited Burston near Maidstone in Kent. His father had represented Kent as M.P. in five parliaments from 1679-1691 and his elder brother John who was M.P. for Hythe from 1708 to 1711 succeeded him on his death and served as M.P. for Kent until 1722.