Attributed to Arthur Pond (London 1701-1758 Surrey)

The son of a surgeon, Pond studied at St Martin's Lane Academy from 1720 under John Vanderbank (1694-1739) before embarking on a two year visit to Italy. He returned to London, via Paris and quickly established himself as a popular portrait painter in pastel and oil, as well as picture dealer, print publisher and collector. The noted botanist and social commentator, Mrs Delany described 'his colouring in crayons the best I have ever seen of any English Painter' (quoted in N. Jeffares, Dictionary of pastellists before 1800, London, 2006, p. 424).