Francis & Mary Ann Grant

This engaging double portrait painted around 1804 shows Francis Grant as a baby clutching a beady-eyed dove and seated on his sister’s lap at the foot of a tree. His sister with long dark hair is assumed to Mary Ann Grant who was six years old when Francis was born.

An old hand-written label on the reverse reads –

Sir Francis Grant as / a baby and his / Sister Mrs Lindsey / for my dear Frances ? /from ??

Sir Francis Grant (1803-1878) was a Scottish portrait painter who painted Queen Victoria and many distinguished figures of the day. He was elected President of the Royal Academy in 1866.

The portrait is set behind convex glass in a traditional papier-mâché frame with a brass surround. The portrait has some fading to the flesh tones but is otherwise fine; the frame has the usual nibbles and marks.