Lot 21: - Herbert Pugh , fl. circa 1758 - 1788 View of Windsor Castle, the Earl and Countess of Pomfret introduced to the artist in the foreground oil on canvas, held in a British Neoclassical gilded frame

signed l.c.: Herbert Pugh Pinxt. , and inscribed and dated l.l.: The Earl and Countess/ of Pomfret. 1765 oil on canvas, held in a British Neoclassical gilded frame

measurements note 133 by 189 cm., 52 1/4 by 74 1/2 in.

G. Baker, The History and Antiquities of the County of Northampton, 1836, part 4, p. 147 (The Gallery, Easton Neston "view in Windsor Park, with earl and countess of Pomfret, Hubert Pugh".)

Commissioned from the artist by George, 2nd Earl of Pomfret (1722-1786);
by descent

THE PROPERTY OF THE TRUSTEES OF FREDERICK, 2ND BARON HESKETH, DECEASED
George Fermor, 2υnd Earl of Pomfret (1722-1785) was the son of Thomas Fermor (1698-1753), 2nd Lord Lempster and later Earl of Pomfret and his wife, Louise Jeffreys, granddaughter of Judge Jeffreys and Philip, 7υth Earl of Pembroke. He was a rake and a spendthrift whose profligate ways were already apparent by the time of his father's death in 1753. His father had decided to avoid an impending financial catastrophe, and only left him the entailed estate of Easton Neston, whilst the possessions went to his more dependable sisters (see lot 13). Pomfret was fortunate enough to make an advantageous marriage to Anna Maria Draycott (1737-1787). She was not only the granddaughter and heiress of William Draycott of Sunbury, Middlesex but also inherited the considerable property of Lady Jane Coke, daughter of Thomas 1υst Marquess of Wharton in 1757. She was magnificently portrayed by Sir Joshua Reynolds in her peeress' robes (see The Sale of Easton Neston, Sotheby's 2005, lot 49). The Count and Countess had three children, George, later 3υrd Earl of Pomfret, Thomas later 4υth Earl, and Charlotte who married Peter Denys of the Pavilion Chelsea. This painting is dated 1765 shortly after the Pomfret's marriage. It depicts an extensive view with Windsor Castle, the Great Park and the school of Eton College beyond, on the grandest possible scale. In 1762 George III had made Pomfret, Lord of the Bedchamber and Ranger of Little Park, Windsor. The Pomfrets are depicted in their elegant finery in the near foreground, clearly advertising that they were able to use the grounds of Windsor for their leisure. This painting also depicts them being introduced to Herbert Pugh, the artist, who is seated with his sketch book in the middle foreground. It is a charming and important moment, as the Pomfret's were to become significant patrons of Pugh. Born in Ireland, Herbert Pugh moved to London in circa 1758. He had only just settled in Covent Garden by 1764, the year before this painting was commissioned. Pugh first exhibited at the Society of Artists in 1760, and continued to do so every year until 1776, exhibiting a total of forty five paintings in all. In 1771 he was elected Fellow of the Society of Artists.