Portrait of a lady, traditionally identified as Elizabeth, Countess of Derby, a sketch

The present work is one of four unfinished studies or sketches by Romney that, by family tradition, were acquired from Lord Duveen for the 'Romney Room' at the Davison estate at Peacock Point on the North Shore of Long Island (fig. 1). Two other portraits from this suite were sold at Christie's, New York: Portrait of a gentleman, said to be William Hayley (1745-1820), standing three-quarter-length, a sketch, 22 May 1998, lot 95 ($63,000) and Portrait of a lady, possibly Lady Emma Hamilton, a sketch, 26 January 2005, lot 269 ($36,000).

The present work appears to have been the beginnings of a half-length portrait that was abandoned after only several sittings. The sitter has traditionally been identified as Elizabeth, Countess of Derby (1753-97), the wife of Lord Strange, later Earl of Derby. She was painted in a three-quarter-length portrait by Romney in 1776-8, with her right hand resting under her face (Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York). Although the present work appears to be from a similar date and convention, the resemblance between the two sitters is not strong enough to support the identification.

We are grateful to Dr. Alex Kidson for confirming the attribution of the present work to Romney on the basis of photographs (written communication, 10 February 2006).