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Stephen Catterson Smith senior (Irish, 1806-1872)

A family group: a young boy, seated on a horse, his sisters standing beside them, one with her hand on his knee, a hat trailing from her other hand, the other holding a basket beside the horse's head, landscape background.
Pencil on card, highlighted with watercolour, signed on the obverse and dated Catterson Smith/ 1832, oak frame with inner gilded border.
Rectangular, 257mm (10 1/8in) high

Footnotes

Although born in England, Catterson Smith made his name in Ireland. Whilst working in London, he made chalk sketches of the Royal family, including the young Princess Victoria (Royal Collection). He went to Dublin in 1839 where he became Portrait Painter to the Lord Lieutenant, a post he held for almost 30 years. Many of his sitters came from Ireland’s most distinguished families, such as the Leinsters of Carton, the Conollys of Castletown and the O’Conors of Clonalis. Civic and institutional portraiture was also an important part of Smith’s output, and he produced at least two portraits of Daniel O’Connell. He was active in the Royal Hibernian Academy and twice served as President (1859–66, 1868–9). He was also Director of The National Gallery of Ireland from 1868. His son, Stephen Catterson Smith junior (1849–1912), was also a portrait painter.

Additional information

This sale is now finished. If you are interested in consigning in future sales, please contact the specialist department. If you have queries about lots purchased in this sale, please contact customer services.
Buyers' Obligations
ALL BIDDERS MUST AGREE THAT THEY HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD BONHAMS' CONDITIONS OF SALE AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THEM, AND AGREE TO PAY THE BUYER'S PREMIUM AND ANY OTHER CHARGES MENTIONED IN THE NOTICE TO BIDDERS. THIS AFFECTS THE BIDDERS LEGAL RIGHTS.
If you have any questions about the Conditions of Sale, please contact your nearest client services team.
From 28 June 2025, the import into the EU of non-EU property of a certain age (and in some categories above a certain value) is subject to additional requirements. Under the relevant EU Regulation, it is the Buyer's sole responsibility to assess whether any Lot meets the criteria for import into the EU. The refusal of any required Import Licence or Importer Statement, or any delay in obtaining such Licence or Statement shall not give rise to the rescission or cancellation of any Sale, nor allow any delay in making full payment for the Lot.
Buyers' Premium and Charges
For all Sales categories, buyer's premium excluding Cars, Motorbikes, Wine, Whisky and Coin & Medal sales, will be as follows:
Buyer's Premium Rates
28% on the first £40,000 of the hammer price;
27% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £40,000 up to and including £800,000;
21% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £800,000 up to and including £4,500,000;
and 14.5% of the hammer price of any amounts in excess of £4,500,000.
A 3rd party bidding platform fee of 4% of the Hammer Price for Buyers using the following bidding platforms will be added to the invoices of successful Buyers for auctions starting on or after 6th July 2024 – Invaluable; Live Auctioneers; The Saleroom; Lot-tissimo.
VAT at the current rate of 20% will be added to the Buyer's Premium and charges excluding Artists Resale Right.
Payment Notices
For payment information please refer to the sale catalog.
Shipping Notices
For information and estimates on domestic and international shipping as well as export licenses please contact Bonhams Shipping Department.

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Stephen Catterson Smith senior (Irish, 1806-1872)

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Conditions of Sale