Mrs. Thomas Horne
Francis Cotes·c. 1768/1770
Historical Context
Francis Cotes painted this portrait of Mrs. Thomas Horne around 1768-70, during his period as one of the leading English portraitists before his early death in 1770. Cotes was a founding member of the Royal Academy and a serious rival to Reynolds, excelling particularly in pastel portraiture before turning primarily to oils. His female portraits are noted for their fresh, luminous quality and the natural elegance with which he presented his sitters.
Technical Analysis
Cotes renders the sitter with his characteristic luminous flesh tones and the natural, unaffected grace that distinguished his female portraits. The warm palette and the fluid handling of the costume demonstrate the confidence of his mature style, combining directness with fashionable elegance.
Provenance
Probably painted for the sitter's husband, Thomas Horne; by descent to Henry, baron Horne of Stirkoke [1861-1929], Stirkoke House, Caithness [Scotland]. (Vicars Bros., London); sold 26 March 1919 to (Thos. Agnew & Sons), London; sold 16 September 1919 to (John Levy Galleries, New York);[1] sold by 1925 to Benjamin F. Jones, Jr. [1868-1928], Sewickley Heights, Pennsylvania;[2] by inheritance to his wife; (sale, Parke-Bernet, New York, 4-5 December 1941, 1st day, no. 34); William R. Coe [1869-1955], Oyster Bay, Long Island, New York; Coe Foundation, New York; gift 1961 to NGA. [1] Stockbook no. 5363, Thomas Agnew & Sons, Longon. [2] Listed in the exhibition catalogue for _Paintings by Old Masters from Pittsburgh Collections_, Carnegie Institute, (Pittsburgh, 1925), no. 8, as lent by Mrs. B.F. Jones, Jr.
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