Our magnificently-preserved portrait portrays Georgiana Spencer, the notorious first wife of William Cavendish, 5th Duke of Devonshire, whose fortunes were severely stretched by his wife's gaming addiction.  A full-length portrait of the Duchess, the bust of which is virtually identical to our own work, hangs in the Green Satin Dressing Room at Chatsworth, and is illustrated in the current Duchess's lavish new book, "Chatsworth: The House".

Born in Ruabon, North Wales, Downman studied under Benjamin West in London and entered the Royal Academy, London Schools, in 1769.  He visited Rome with Wright of Derby in 1773-5, apparently intent on becoming a history painter.  But by 1777 he was painting portraits in Cambridge and by 1780 had evolved his most characteristic portrait manner, the half-length oval in black chalk and stump with light washes of color.  He exhibited portraits and a number of fancy subjects at the Royal Academy, London 1769-1819, and was elected associate Royal Academician, London 1795.  He practised in the west country, 1806-8 and is recorded at Chester in 1818-19.  He died at Wrexham on December 24, 1824.