SIR THOMAS LAWRENCE, P.R.A. (LONDON 1769-1830)

Charles Lock, father of Emily and Georgina, was the second son of William Lock of Norbury (1732-1810). Lock of Norbury was a connoisseur and patron, who set off on his Grand Tour in 1749, meeting Richard Wilson in Rome. He began to collect art on the grand tour, and owned Claude Lorrain’s Embarkation of St Ursula (now National Gallery, London), amongst other great works. He became best-known, however, as a patron and supporter of contemporary artists. Thomas Lawrence was one such artist, and it was Lock who introduced him to the M.P. J.J. Angerstein, founder of the National Gallery, who would also become a highly important patron for him. Lawrence painted Lock several times, as well as several members of his extended family.

Lawrence painted Charles Lock in 1795, and his wife, Cecilia, in 1797. Although the present drawing is undated, the girls appear to be around three and five years old, so it probably dates to around 1800. It is delicate and tender, a masterly example of Lawrence’s chalk portraiture.