ca. 1805
On verso of frame is fascinating genealogical information written in a period hand confirming Lawrence as the artist rendering this a truly unique opportunity.
The Lysons family were an old Gloucestershire family seated at Hempsted Court (the estate is near the dealer where this sketch was acquired). Daniel Lysons, M.A, F.R.S. F.A.S, H.S. and L.S. was the celebrated topographer and antiquary and had inherited the Hempsted estate from his uncle. He was author of 'The Environs of London' and together with his brother Samuel the 'Magna Britannica'. In 1801 he married Sarah, eldest daughter of Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Carteret Hardy of the York Fusilliers, and had issue two sons and two daughters;
Daniel, born 1804, died 1814.
Samuel, born 1806, his heir.
Sarah, born 1802 (portrayed here) married on 5th October 1831 the Reverend John Haygarth.
Charlotte, born 1807, married on 14th November at Naples Sir James Carnegie Bt.
The famous oil portrait begun in 1801 by Sir Thomas Lawrence now in the Cleveland Museum of Art depicts Sarah Lysons' mother Sarah Carteret Hardy and her younger sister Charlotte. This provides proof of the close connection the family must have had with the artist, and this delightful little pencil portrait sketch of Sarah must date to c. 1805, she cannot have been much more than three years old when Lawrence sketched her here. She also wears what could be the same red coral necklace, perhaps inherited from her mother as seen in the Cleveland portrait.
