He was known as a man of refined taste in art and literature, while his skill as a draughtsman was far above that of the average dilettante. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 173I, and was a Director of the Society of Antiquaries 1735-6. In 1737 he resigned from the post and set out with his brother John on the Grand Tour and this portrait was painted during this time in Rome.

Provenance

Anon sale, Phillips, 9 December 1980, lot72