(British, 1758-1810) Portrait of Miss Frances Patten (born 1766), fourth daughter of Thomas Patten Esq. of Barck Hall, County Lancaster & High Sheriff, unsigned, oil on canvas, 30 x 25-1/8 in.; gilt wood and composition frame lined with paste and linen, formerly three periods of retouch with some remnants, crackle, scattered retouch primarily in draw crackle and background, recent cleaning and conservation by Colin Post, Asheville, NC. Notes: Accompanied by original photo-certificate by William Roberts, issued after the publication of the 1914 supplement to the Hoppner catalogue raisonné, and stamped A.C. Cooper Ltd., London. Transcription of note verso: Miss Frances Patten By John Hoffman, Ra (1758 – 1810) canvas 30 + 25 in. Fourth daughter of Thomas Patten Eq, of Bank Hall, Co Lancaster e High Sherrif 1773, by Dorothea daughter of Peter Bold Eq of Bold e mp (?) for Lancashire. Born in Oct. 1766; married August 1, 1794, at Warrington Church, the Rev. Charles Prideaux- Brune, of P Cumber, Co. Worel, e Prideaux Place, Padstow, Co. Cornwall; he died in 1833; the date of her death has not been ascertained. Her nephew John Wilson Patten, an eminent politician, was created Baron Winmerleigh in 1874, but the title died with him in 1892. The Patten family records go back to the time of the conqueror, e one of them settled in Lancashire in the reign of Henry VIII; whilst the allied families of Prideaux Brune into which Miss Frances Patten married. Trace both their forbears to the reigns of Edward I & Edward III, e in branches there were eminent men e extensive landowners. This is I think one of the finest examples of Hoppner’s works which I have seen for some years. It may be compared to the states (?) portrait of Arabella (Anabella?) Duchess of Dorset e to that of the Marchioness of Wellesley, both illustrated in my book on Hoppner. It was painted at about the time of her marriage, e both this portrait e that of her sister Mary were probably done on commission for their father, for the both appear to have remained in the Patten family up to the time of Lord Winmerleigh’s death. So far as I know this picture and its companion have never been exhibited or appeared in any public sale. In both cases they are in perfect condition, and make a very important addition to the list of Hoppner’s known works. Signed: W. Roberts London Stamped by Photographer: A.C. Cooper Fine Art Photographer, 2, 3 & 4, Rose & Crown Yard, KING STREET St. James, London, S.W. 1, Phone: WHITEHALL 2891. Provenance: Private Collection lined with paste and linen, formerly three periods of retouch with some remnants, crackle, scattered retouch primarily in draw crackle and background, recent cleaning and conservation by Colin Post, Asheville, NC