Portrait by George Romney

One of the foremost portrait painters of the late 18th century, George Romney stands as a defining figure of British art. His elegant and expressive portraits captured the refinement of high society and continue to be celebrated in collections around the world. Between 1773 and 1775, Romney visited Italy to study the works of Renaissance masters, an experience that significantly shaped his career. A highlight of the collection is this distinguished portrait of Francis Lind by George Romney (Lot 27).

Francis Lind, the son of Captain Francis Lind and Elizabeth (née Farrier), was portrayed in this work commissioned around 1775–1776 by his mother, shortly after Romney’s return from Italy. Painted just before Romney started keeping sitter records there is a note on the fly-leaf of his 1776 sitter book, 'Mrs Lind, Carlisle, to be sent on Friday morning to the Castle Inn'. The portrait was passed down through several generations of the family, remaining in their possession until the early 1990s.

The romantic landscape glimpsed through the window is believed to be the Lake District - a region that inspired Romney’s poetic sensibility. Here, the sitter is shown holding a one-keyed Simpson flute. The Simpson family were a celebrated dynasty of flute makers based in London during the 18th and early 19th centuries. Their instruments were prized for their clear, resonant sound and elegant craftsmanship.

Cabriolet Chairs Designed by John Linnell

A meeting of French elegance and English craftsmanship, these cabriolet chairs designed by John Linnell tell the story of artistic exchange in the 18th century. Linnell, one of Georgian Britain’s most imaginative designers, studied French ornament at St Martin’s Lane before taking over his father’s workshop in Berkeley Square. His designs, inspired by the Parisian menuisier Jean-Baptiste Boulard, reimagined French luxury for British interiors.

With their acanthus-wrapped carvings and pearled ribbon details, these chairs embody the refinement of the age. From Harewood House to Inveraray Castle, Linnell’s creations furnished some of the grandest rooms in Britain - and still capture the timeless dialogue between London and Paris in design.

Pompon, the Poodle of Marie Antoinette

A key theme throughout the collection is the blending of French artistry with royal heritage. A charming addition is this portrait of Pompon, the cherished companion of Marie Antoinette. This little poodle captured hearts - and canvases - through the delicate and characterful portraits of Jacques-Barthelemy Delamarre. A little-known French artist, Delamarre trained at the Paris Académie Saint-Luc in 1777, and was known to have painted several versions of this dog, said to be a favourite of Marie Antoinette, with variations in the dog's fur and accompanying objects.

Dogs were common at the court of Versailles with Marie Antoinette having a particular fondness for pugs. She is known to have requested that her team should procure her a number of fashionable lap-dogs from Austria. Although not everyone was such a fan of dogs at the palace. There were complaints at the time that all these dogs were causing havoc in Versailles, poking holes in the upholstery and tearing the queen’s dresses.

A Royal Louis XVI Chaise à la Reine attributed to Jean-Baptiste Boulard

Another fascinating piece is a Royal Louis XVI white painted and upholstered chaise à la reine, attributed to the great Parisian menusier, Jean-Baptiste Boulard. Boulard is known to have supplied furniture and other work for Louis XVI's Royal residences in the 1780s including Versailles. 

In February 1785 Jean Hauré was commissioned to supply a long set of chairs, screen and a room-divider for the King's Games Salon at Versailles and Boulard was chosen as carpenter, with other craftsmen selected as carvers, painters and gilders. Another set of chairs, delivered between 1784-1789, was supplied by Jean-Baptiste Boulard and Jean-Baptiste Claude Sené for an antechamber or dining room. They correspond closely to the present chair, having an elegantly channelled frame and painted, but with stretchers.

A Portrait of Sarah Churchill by Adriana Verelst

Finally, we wanted to take a look at this elegant portrait of Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough (1660–1744). Sarah Churchill was an extraordinary historical figure. She was a close confidante and adviser to Queen Anne - a relationship which was depicted in the 2018 film ‘The Favourite’. Churchill was a shrewd political operator whose ambition and intellect shaped the course of British history. From secret marriages and court intrigues to overseeing the construction of Marlborough House and managing vast estates, her influence was unmatched, even as personal rivalries and politics tested her resilience.

Long attributed to Kneller, this portrait of Churchill is now credited to Adriana Verelst - a remarkable artist whose story has been obscured for centuries. Previously misidentified as “Maria Verelst,” Adriana was the daughter of portrait painter Herman Verelst, and evidence shows she received prestigious commissions, painting works for Welbeck Abbey and James Brydges, 1st Duke of Chandos. Her name and legacy have historically been overlooked, yet her work places her among the foremost portraitists of her era.

This portrait almost certainly predates the death of the Duke of Marlborough in 1722, and the later Blenheim portrait of Sarah by Verelst, formerly attributed to Sir Peter Lely.

View page turning catalogue

Auction Details

Auction: 
Tuesday 18 November 2025 | 2pm GMT
Dreweatts, Donnington Priory, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2JE, UK

Bidding is available in person at our salerooms, online, by telephone or you can leave commission (absentee) bids.

Browse the auction
Sign up to email alerts

Viewing:

• Viewing at Dreweatts London (highlights): 16-17 Pall Mall, SW1Y 5LU
  • Monday 27 October: 10am-4pm
  • Tuesday 28 October: 10am-4pm
  • Wednesday 29 October: 10am-7pm
• Viewing at Dreweatts Newbury (full sale): Donnington Priory, RG14 2JE
  • Friday 14 November: 10am-4pm
  • Sunday 16 November: 10am-3pm
  • Monday 17 November: 10am-4pm
  • Tuesday 18 November: 9am-2pm

Further information:
General enquiries: +44 (0) 1635 553 553 | housesales@dreweatts.com
Press enquiries: press@dreweatts.com