John Downman A.R.A 1750-1824.
Watercolour, Chalk and Stump Drawing. Signed and dated lower left 1783.
Portrait of a Lady traditionally held to be Georgiana Duchess of Devonshire.
19 by 23 cms image. 30 by 34 cms overall in frame
Recently emerged from a collection formed in the 19th.Century by a noted Irish Playwright and held by his descendants ever since.
Downman's technique often means that there is some fragility to his surviving works, there is some damage to the outer edge and a small white mark to her head.
The drawing has been laid down onto card at somepoint. The frame is original and of typical Downman design. Comparison to other portraits of Georgiana varied as they are, lead me to concur with the traditional attribution.
Walpole described her thus: "She effaces all without being a beauty, but her youthful figure and flowing good nature, sense and lively modesty and modest familiarity make her a phenomenon."