Lot 499: James Holmes (1777-1860). A miniature portrait of

James Holmes (1777-1860). A miniature portrait of George Gordon Byron, head and shoulders, with dark curling hair, a red cloak draped over his right shoulder, signed and dated 1816, the reverse with indistinct descriptions, one possibly reading 'Ld. Byron 27 years', 11 x 8cm., in an ormolu case with maker's stamp 'J.A.' * Another version of the portrait by Holmes, with the sitter looking to sinister and dated 1815, was apparently Byron's preferred portrait of himself. The present portrait was for an unknown reason altered at a later date by Lady Wentworth with additions mainly to Byron's hair and chin. A cardboard box is inscribed "The Holmes miniature of Lord Byron done in 1814 and given by Augusta Leigh to Lady Byron - much altered, presumably by Lady Wentworth". It is known that Judith Lady Wentworth made a habit of 'improving' pictures. The miniature in its original condition is reproduced in the first edition of 'Astarte' (illustration facing page 78). The discrepancy of two years (1814/1816) is puzzling but could be a misreading of the indistinctly dated miniature. James Holmes was associated with eleven portraits of Byron.