His relationship with William Beckford of Fonthill caused a nationwide scandal and forced Beckford to depart on an extended Grand Tour of Europe. Courtenay was a significant patron of the arts and notorious for his extravagance. He was responsible for the addition of the Music Room in Powderham Castle near Exeter and was one of Cosway's most important patrons. The castle is still owned by the Courtenay family today. The museum had been searching for an important miniature by Cosway of a sitter with close connections to Devon and Exeter for some time.

Provenance

? collection of Edward Joseph, 1889; ? collection of Frank Woodroffe; John Pierpont Morgan (1837-1913), New York; Christie's, 1935; ? Frank Partridge; Christie's, 1974; private collection; Christie's, 2002; private collection.