Sir Thomas Lawrence PRA, British 1769-1830- Study of a boy; pencil on blue-grey paper, signed and dated aug 1791, 39.2x26cm (unframed) Provenance: Professor Bengt Broms, Helsinki, by 1972; Sotheby's, London, 26th November 2020, lot 200 Note: Lawrence completed a number of portraits of prominent contemporary figures, including members of the royal family, and enjoyed the patronage of the George IV as Prince Regent. He also painted the Duke of Wellington, Pope Pius VII, and Tsar Alexander I of Russia. Lawrence’s talent was recognised in his time, and he was elected as the president of the Royal Academy in 1820. That Lawrence’s reputation has endured is demonstrated by the fact that his works are still held in many of the most prominent collections in the UK, including in the National Portrait Gallery, Dulwich Picture Gallery, the National Gallery, and the Wallace Collection, alongside many others.