Another painting I’ve owned for more than a decade, a superb quality portrait by an unknown artist from the second half of the eighteenth century. I think originally I felt I’d just discover it was by a celebrated court artist of the day and pay off my mortgage but it’s clearly not as easy as Philip Mould makes it look. I still love the image though, an immaculate courtier, with a wry look and something of a military demeanour, or perhaps that’s just the red tunic. There is an ancient label on the back that simply say ‘Major Ramsay’. Of course that could be a previous owner or descendent as much as the name of the sitter. As a result we’ve always described it as Scottish School but I suppose it could equally be French based on how little I know. Magnificently framed too.
