John Downman, A.R.A. (Ruabon, Wales 1750-1824 Wrexham)

Lady Elizabeth Foster (1758-1824) was a close friend and confidante of Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire (lot 182), as well as the mistress of her husband, William Cavendish, 5th Duke of Devonshire. Following Georgiana's death in 1806, Elizabeth and the Duke were married and she became the next Duchess of Devonshire. Downman drew the women together in a rare full-length double portrait, now at Ickworth House, Suffolk, which is noted by Williamson as 'most remarkable'. Downman executed numerous studies, of which this is probably one. There are also drawings of Lady Elizabeth in the British Museum and the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, executed by Downman as part of the scenery for an amateur production of Arthur Murphy's 'The Way to Keep Him' performed at Richmond House, Whitehall, 1787.