Lot 40: ANTONIO DAVID 1684-1750 PORTRAIT OF THE HONOURABLE EDWARD FINCH, OF KIRBY HALL, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE

ANTONIO DAVID 1684-1750 PORTRAIT OF THE HONOURABLE EDWARD FINCH, OF KIRBY HALL, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE (C.1697-1771)

half length, standing in a draped interior, wearing a red fur-lined coat, holding a book in his right hand, and reading a letter

inscribed l.l.:Hon^ble Edward Finch.

oil on canvas

CATALOGUE NOTE

The sitter was the fifth surviving son of Daniel Finch, 2nd Earl of Nottingham and 7th Earl of Winchilsea. He was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge, and travelled to Italy on the Grand Tour in July 1720 'designing to stay a few months' and ended up staying two and a half years. It was surely during this stay in Italy that he was painted by Antonio David. He served as an M.P. for Cambridge University from 1727-1768, and also served as an envoy to Sweden, 1728-39, minister to Poland in 1740, envoy to Russia, 1740-42, and Groom of the Bedchamber 1742-56. On 6th September 1746 he was married to Elizabeth Palmer, daughter of Sir Thomas Palmer, 4th Bt.

94 by 71 cm., 37 by 28 in.