Grace Waldo was born c.1683, she was the daughter of Sir Edward Waldo and Elizabeth Shuckborough. She married, firstly, Sir Nicholas Wolstenholme of Enfield, Middlesex before 1717.
James's, Westminster, London. Her portrait was probably painted at this time.
As a girl Grace had lived at Pinner Hill in Middlesex and in 1728, at her own expense, she had the Hunsdon Bridge over the River Pinn rebuilt. A tablet on the bridge is inscribed "This Bridge was rebuilt from the Foundations att the Voluntary and sole cost of the R Honble Grace, Lady Hunsden in the Month of Sept. Ano Dni 1728".(sic)
She died on the 9th of May 1729 and was buried at All Saints, Hutton Rudby, Yorkshire, an estate owned by the Careys.
There were no children; Lord Hunsdon died on 12th June 1765, aged 81.
The Careys had royal blood in their veins; Henry Carey, 1st Baron Hunsden, Knight of the Garter, was the illigitimate son of King Henry VIII by his mistress Lady Mary Carey.
The Barony of Hunsdon became extinct as did the illigitimate male line of Henry VIII.
This portrait is typical of the work of Swedish born artist MICHAEL DAHL (1659 - 1743).
Dahl was a painter of exceptional talent and regarded as the only really serious rival to Sir Godfrey Kneller, for royal patronage, during the years 1690-1714. Dahl's patterns were undoubtedly indebted to the fashion set by Kneller, but Dahl had a lighter palette, his brushwork applied in shorter and more careful strokes.
His style is extremely close to Kneller but his interpretation of character is less brash and more human. He has a quieter but somehow more understanding appeal to character which relies on its own integrity to make its impact; his works are of a real distinction.
His self portrait hangs in the National Portrait Gallery and he is famed for having painted a series of wonderful female portraits for the Duke of Somerset, now at Petworth House, and known as the Petworth Beauties.
Dahl's portraits of members of the royal family hang at Kensington Palace and Windsor.
SIZE: 38 x 32.5 inches inc. frame
PROVENANCE:
18th or early 19th c inscription verso:" The Right Honble Lady Hunsdon, youngest daughter of Sir Edward Waldo Knt and wife to Lord Hunsdon".
With Frost and Reed of Clare Street, Bristol and New Bond Street, London, old label verso with handwritten owner's name "J.S. Hobhouse".
Roy and nadine precious: specialists in portraiture from the 16th to the 20th century. Established in 1972.
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Sold....portrait of Grace, Lady Hunsdon C. 1717, by Michael Dahl.
