Lot 27: George Knapton (London 1698-1778) Portrait of Elizabeth Washington Cotes, unframed

Portrait of Elizabeth Washington Cotes, half-length, in a blue dress with yellow ribbons, within a painted stone oval
signed and dated 'Knapton/ pxt 1752' (lower left) and bears identifying inscription 'Elizabeth the Wife of the Revd Washington Cotes. Dean of Lismore/ and Eldest Daughter of Andrew Corbet of Shawbury Park Esq. Died May 1790' (along lower edge)
oil on canvas
76.3 x 63cm (30 1/16 x 24 13/16in).
unframed

PROVENANCE:
Sale, Christie's London, 1957, lot 59

Born in 1721 and the eldest daughter of Andrew Corbet, Elizabeth married Dr Washington Cotes at the age of forty. Her husband died at the age of forty-five at Bath in 1762, leaving her a widow after only a very brief marriage.