A delicate English School portrait, dating to c. 1780, of a young lady identified as the Right Honourable Mrs Oakley. The painting exemplifies John Downman’s subtle manner. Many of his works are unsigned and unrecognised. His sitters often appear somewhat rigid and angular with fine, refined features traits reflected in the restrained elegance of this piece. Downman frequently worked in a small, oval format and commonly painted on copper. John Downman was born in Ruabon, Denbighshire, North Wales. Despite coming from a land-locked county, he was briefly press-ganged into His Majesty’s Navy in his youth; after escaping he made his way to Cambridge and ultimately settled in London. A popular portraitist of his day, he painted many members of the social and cultural elite and was a regular exhibitor at the Royal Academy.Provenance:Previously with Bonham’s 07/03/2012.Condition.Small paint flake, see image, otherwise in good sound original condition. The frame is proba...