
Poppy Harvey-Jones
Head of Sale
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£20,000 - £30,000
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Head of Sale
PROVENANCE:
Commissioned by the sitter
Thence by descent to Captain and Mrs J.B. Blackett
Sale, Bonhams, London, 9 December 1993, lot 7
With Richard Green, London
The portrait probably dates from 1773-74, during Tilly Kettle's Indian tour (1769-76), the first of any serious Western artist. Captain Stewart was at the time working for the East India Company in Calcutta and an extract from his Letter Book to his brother in Scotland, dated 29 December 1773, mentions the following: 'I enclose copy of Bond which I have granted to MR TILLY KETTLE for the sum of ST £362-10-0 payable in London on or before the thirteenth day of December 1777 with interest at 4% per annum to commence from 30 SEPT 1774 the interest to be paid annually in London as it becomes due and the principal at the expiration of the period I have mentioned'.