Lot 52: William Derby (British, 1786-1847)

Gustavus Hamilton, 2nd Viscount Boyne (1710-1746), wearing fur-trimmed, ochre-coloured coat, over red and white waistcoat, his black hat trimmed with a black bow and lace
watercolour on card, unframed, the reverse inscribed, signed and dated, Horace Walpole 4th Earl of Orford/ from the original of Rosalba/ done at Venice when Walpole/ was travelling with Gray the Poet/ In the Collection of Thomas Walpole Esq./ at Stagbury near Epsom/ Drawn by W.Derby 1831; together with a portrait of a Gentleman, seated in a green upholstered chair, wearing grey coat over patterned waistcoat and buff-coloured trousers, watercolour on card, unframed, signed on the obverse, W Derby, pinxt
Rectangular, 187mm. (7 3/8ins.) and 245mm. (9 5/8ins.) high (2)

The original pastel of Lord Boyne was by Rosalba Carriera and dates to circa 1730. The portrait was thought to be of Horace Walpole for many years and is described as such in the book, 'Portraits of illustrious Personages of Great Britain', E. Lodge, 1831. Comparison with other portraits of Boyne and the earlier dating of the portrait now confirm its identity.