A lion hunt

Northcote did not record all of his works in his account books and the present picture is not listed, although two other larger versions are (see J. Simon, The Account Book of James Northcote, Walpole Society, LVIII, nos. 553 and 655). The earliest version, no. 553, is recorded as having been sold to Mr Shakerley, for one hundred guineas, and was exhibited at the Royal Academy, London, in 1813. The purchaser was probably Charles Shakerley of Somerford Park, Cheshire, who also acquired three other works by Northcote listed in his account books. The other recorded version of this picture, no. 655, was bought by Lord Egremont and is at Petworth House, Sussex.