JOHN RAPHAEL SMITH (1752-1812) PORTRAIT OF MISS LOUISA GRESLEY pastel

JOHN RAPHAEL SMITH (1752-1812) PORTRAIT OF MISS LOUISA GRESLEY pastel, oval, 25 x 21.5cm, giltwood and composition sanded frame with old label on the backboard identifying the sitterThe sitter was the sister of Sir Nigel Bowyer Gresley, Bt, Recorder of Lichfield. He also sat to Smith who also engraved in mezzotint the resulting portrait. The Gresley family were long established in South Derbyshire, their principal seat being Drakelow Hall (demolished 1934) near Burton on Trent. The baronetcy was created in 1611 for George Gresley, MP for Newcastle under Lyme and became extinct on the death of the 13th baronet in 1976.