William Man Godschall (1720–1802)

William Man Godschall (1720–1802)

William Man Godschall (1720–1802)

Artist:John Russell (British, Guildford 1745–1806 Hull)
Date:1791
Medium:Pastel on paper, laid down on canvas
Dimensions:23 3/4 x 17 3/4 in. (60.3 x 45.1 cm)
Classification:Pastels & Oil Sketches on Paper
Credit Line:Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Wiesenberger, 1961

Russell was England's leading pastellist in the later eighteenth century. He studied under Francis Cotes and from 1769 to 1806 exhibited annually at the Royal Academy, of which he was a member. This portrait and a companion piece showing the sitter's wife were executed to celebrate the couple's fortieth anniversary.

Provenance

Mr. and Mrs. William Man Godschall, Weston House, Albury, near Guildford, Surrey (1791–her d. 1795); William Man Godschall, Weston House (1795–d. 1802); Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Man Godschall, Weston House (1802–his d. 1821); Mrs. Samuel Man Godschall, Weston House (1821–d. 1823; bequeathed to Palmerston); Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston, Broadlands, Romsey, Hampshire (1823–d. 1865); his stepson, William Francis Cowper, later Baron Mount Temple, Broadlands (1865–d. 1888); his nephew, Hon. Evelyn Melbourne Ashley, Broadlands (1888–d. 1908); his son, Wilfrid William Ashley, later Baron Mount Temple, Broadlands (1908–d. 1939; cat., 1939); his daughter, Edwina, Countess Mountbatten of Burma, Broadlands (1939–d. 1960; sale, Christie's, London, March 15, 1960, no. 83 [this portrait and its pendant], withdrawn and sold privately for $600 to Wiesenberger); Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Wiesenberger, New York (1960–61)

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