Lot 32: Robert Hunter , fl.1752-1803 Portrait of Edward Michael Pakenham, 2nd Baron Longford (1743-1792) oil on canvas

full-length, standing in a coastal landscape with a spaniel and a British Man-o-War beyond inscribed on label, (verso); Edward Michael/ 2nd Baron Longford/ Born 1743 Died 1792 oil on canvas

measurements note 75 by 62.5 cm., 29 1/2 in 24 3/4 in.

A. Crookshank, 'Robert Hunter,' Irish Arts Review, 1989-1990, p. 182, no. 48

By decent in the Longford family, Pakenham Hall until the 1960's

THE PROPERTY OF A GENTLEMAN
The sitter was the son and heir of Thomas Pakenham, 1st Baron Longford of Pakenham Hall, County Westmeath and his wife Elizabeth Cuffe who was created Baroness of Longford in 1785. He served in the Royal Navy from 1765 to 1766 and served as M.P. for County Longford in Ireland. On the 25th June 1768 he married Catherine, daughter of Hercules Rowley of Summerhill, County Meath. He was a popular political figure and Lord Harcourt wrote on 17th October 1774: "My Lord Longford is a man of ability, an able speaker in the House of Lords and greatly respected in this County."

On the 10th April 1806 his second daughter Catherine married Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington.