Francis Cotes RA (1726-1770) Portrait of John Parker (1734-1796), half-length, wearing a blue coat and white waistcoat, standing by a column Oil on canvas 90.9 x 71cm; 35¾ x 28in Provenance: Commissioned by the sitter, 1766; And by family descent Literature: Elaine Barr, `John Parker, Goldsmith - a Portrait by Francis Cotes`, in The Burlington Magazine (June 1979), pp.375-376 & 378, fig.60 John Parker was a noted 18th-century goldsmith, best known for his partnership with Edward Wakelin. This work, alongside the portrait of his wife Mary Parker (lot 1256), were painted in 1766, shortly after their marriage. His personal account in the Garrard Ledgers reveals he paid £31.10s to Francis Cotes in July of that year. In her article on this and the following lot, Elaine Barr suggests that there may have been a long-standing professional relationship between Parker and Cotes. Mrs Cotes held an account with Parker and Wakelin, and they certainly provided frames for Francis` brother Samuel`s portrait miniatures.