The flowers are a symbol of youth and beauty, both equally transient.
The sitter is thought to be a sister of Jane Brooke (see item 8747 in 'Portraits Sold').
Elizabeth and Frances were the daughters of Peter Brooke and his second wife Elizabeth, daughter and heiress of Jonas Langford Esq of Theobalds, Hertfordshire and Antigua, British West Indies.
Elizabeth married Randle Ford Esq. barrister, of Wexham, Buckinghamshire on 13 December 1785; She died in 1806.
Frances married Thomas Oliver Esq. of Leytonstone on 20 December 1786.
The Brooke family of Mere lived at Mere Hall, Knutsford from the 1650s until 1993. Colonel Ronald Langford-Brooke had died in 1980 and his wife Helen in 1993.
A dispersal sale of the contents, including this portrait, was held on the premises by Christie's in May 1994.
Image 8 shows Mere Hall and in Image 9 this portrait can be seen, lower right, hanging on the staircase wall and partially obscured by the chandelier.
BARTHOLOMEW DANDRIDGE (1691-c.1754)studied at Sir Godfrey Kneller's academy of painting and later at the St Martin's Lane Academy. He had a career as a fashionable portrait painter in London for more than forty years, working in a style similar to that of John Vanderbank.
In 1733, he moved to 55, Great Queen Street, which had formed part of the house of Sir Godfrey Kneller until his death two years before.
SIZE: 40.5 x 35.5 inches inc. frame.
PROVENANCE:
The Brooke family, Mere Hall, Knutsford, Cheshire and by descent.
The late Helen Langford-Brooke, Mere Hall. Christie's house sale, May 1994.
Private Collection, Eaton Square, Begravia, London.
Verso: Two inventory numbers; the older '6' and the later '26'.
Roy and nadine precious: specialists in portraiture from the 16th to the 20th century. Established in 1972.
You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Roy Precious - Antiques & Fine Art Profile Page
Portrait of Elizabeth or Frances Brooke; Follower of Bartholomew Dandridge.
