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106 HUGH DOUGLAS HAMILTON(1739-1808)
A Portrait of Mary Preston
Pastel and crayon, oval, 27 x 21.5cms (10.6 x 8.5”)
In gadroon gilt wood frame, with a contemporary paper label verso, “Mary Preston youngest daughter of the Hon.
Henry Hamilton”, also with a later (19th century) label giving a misleading identification and attribution to Rosalba
Carriera.
Mary Hamilton married in 1764 (as his second wife) Nathaniel Preston of Swainston, Co. Meath. Her father was a
younger son of Viscount Boyne of Stackallan, Co. Meath, and her parents were intimate with Mrs Delaney, who of
them said - “I never saw a couple better suited than Mr Hamilton and his wife, their house like themselves looks
cheerful and neat...., they have four children, whose behaviour shows the sense of their parents”. Mary’s brother,
Sackville Hamilton became a competent and respected Civil Servant.
Provenance: Christie’s 01/06/1928 Lot 30 (18 guineas)bought by John Maher, Bloomfield, Enniscorthy, thence by descent.
Adam’s, Important Irish Art 28/09/2005 Lot 25 (€8,200) ,
€ 5,000 - 8,000