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Gainsborough

December 13, 1973

Dear Mrs. McConnell;
Pursuant to my letter of December 7th, I am happy to send you here below the requested information about the painting by GAINSBOROUGH purchased by Mr. Alfred H. Ramage on November 6th, 1924.

In our files it is described as follows:
A painting, English School, 18th century, by Thomas Gainsborough, 1727-1775. "A Lady Walking in a Park with Her Dog". This picture represents the main figure of the painting by Gainsborough, "The Mall" (now owned by Sir Thomas Neeld).

The present painting, "A Lady Walking in a Park with her Dog", was part of the H. J. Pfungst collection auction in London, held June 15th, 1917, under No. 75. It should be noticed that the heading of the catalogue reads, "The Collection of works by Thomas Gainnsbourough, R.A. and Old Pictures and drawing by different artists". This collector, H.J. Pfungst, was especially mentioned, and his collection detailed, in Fritz Lugt's book, "Marques de Collections", which is considered by all as a precious record of leading collections throughout the ages. In this book we read of H.J. Pfungst's particular interest in Gainsborough works.

This painting, "A Lady walking in a Park with her Dog", is further mentioned and reproduced in the book, "Thomas Gainsborough", published in 1903 by Lord Ronald Sutherland Gower, F.S.A., opposite page 68, and mentioned and described on page 115. Lord Sutherland Gower was perforce considered a great authority on this artist.

Then, further, the painting is mentioned in the Frick Collection catalogue published in 1949, in connection with "the Mall".(The latter in the meantime had been acquired by Henry Clay Frick.) In view of the particular merit of this description I am sending you herein a photostated copy of it. May I especially call your attention to the fact that this catalogue was established by Sir Charles John Holmes, who was the director of the London National Gallery, indeed a leading connoisseur. You will agree that this painting, at the time of its sale, was endowed with the best authorities, and that its authenticity could hardly have been doubted.

We should add to this that Mr. Ramage, as we know from a group of drawings by Thos. Gainsborough he acquired, was particularly attracted to the works of this artists, and would of course not have acquired a painting of uncertain attribution.

In view of this documentation, the existence of any doubt today entitles

(T.S.V.P)