Lot 114: THOMAS MURRAY 1663-1734

full length, standing, wearing peer's robes, his left arm resting on a pedestal with his coronet beside

oil on canvas, in a carved wood frame

241 by 146 cm., 95 by 57 1/2 in.

By descent from the sitter to William Ward, 4th Earl of Dudley, by whom sold, Sotheby's, 16th November 1983, lot 41, where acquired by the present owner

The sitter was the son and heir of the Hon William Ward and his wife Frances, daughter of William Dilke of Maxstoke Castle, Warwickshire. He succeeded to the title on the death of his grandfather Edward Ward, 7th Lord Dudley, in 1701. He was educated at Rugby, and on 9th April 1703 married Diana, only daughter of Thomas Howard of Ashtead, Surrey, and his wife Diana daughter of Francis Newport, 1st Earl of Bradford. His wife was also painted by Thomas Murray.