portrait of lady hill by john russell, c. 1778

John Russell, RA (1745 - 1806) Pastel on card. Portrait of Lady Hill, nee Mary Pole, wife of Sir Rowland Hill, 1st Bt. of Hawkstone. The half-length portrait depicts Lady Hill wearing a white headdress, holding a book, and wearing a bracelet with a portrait miniature on her wrist, presumable a portrait miniature of Sir Rowland. Beyond a landscape and further in the distance, their home Hawkstone Hall, Shropshire. Signed and dated “J Russell/1778. Fabulous original frame. Oval, 29 inches X 24 inches. Please note: there is some glare on this piece from the very old glass; this IS NOT present on the drawing. This portrait has it all: it is highly detailed; it is an early, signed and dated John Russell; the sitter is well know; it is original down to the frame; and she is wearing a portrait miniature! Provenance: Francis Wellesley, London, 26 May, 1922. Biddulph. Anonymous sale: Sotheby's, London, 9 December 1931, lot 94. Anonymous sale: Christie's, London, 29 November 1935, lot 47. Literature: This drawing is listed in the book by Neil Jeffares. “Dictionary of Pastellist Before 1800”. The early 18th century Georgian mansion, Hawkstone Hall still exits. Set in extensive parklands in Shropshire, England, it is now owned by the Catholic church who use it as a retreat and course centre. The Hawkstone House was established by Richard Hill of Hawkstone (1655–1727), also known as 'The Great Hill', circa 1707, whilst the follies, estate and reputation were mainly established by his nephew and heir Sir Rowland, 1st Baronet Hill of Hawkstone (1705–1783) and Sir Richard Hill, 2nd Baronet (1733–1808) in the 18th century. The son of Mary and Sir Rowland, the 1st Viscount, became known as one of Wellington's most reliable subordinate officer and one of the leading generals under Wellington in the Peninsula, commanding the right wing at the Battle of Vittoria, 1813. He fought at Waterloo, 1815, where his brigade engaged the Imperial Guard at close quarters, his horse being killed under him. Unlike many others, he could be trusted with a key role on the battlefield or with a substantial independent command. Wellington said of him 'the best of Hill is that I always know where to find him'. He was Commander - in - Chief 1828-42, taking over Wellington, and then replaced by him. John Russell was born in Guildford, Surrey, England in 1745. He was educated at the Royal Grammar School and trained under Francis Cotes, RA, one of the pioneers of English pastel drawing. Russell set up his own studio, in London, in 1767. Mortimer Street, Cavendish Square, to which he had moved in 1770. He entered the Royal Academy Schools in 1770 as well, winning its gold medal for figure drawing that year from the Society of Arts. In 1772, he wrote Elements of Painting with Crayons. He exhibited at the Society of Artists in 1768 and showed 330 works at the Academy from 1769 until his death in 1806. Russell is considered to be one of the best English Pastellists on the 18th Century.

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