by descent to the artist's great-grandson, Francis H. Webb; bequeathed by him to George Charles Williamson, London (1858-1942), April 1929; his sale, Sotheby's (London), 31 January 1945, lot 62; purchased there by Sir Robert Witt, London (1872-1952), L.2228b; Witt Bequest 1952

Hindostan: new sources of beauty and variety, Heinz Gallery, 29/10/1973-28/12/1973

unnumbered typescript - title was possibly 'A Selection of Drawings from The Witt/Courtauld Collections [as exhibited in 1964 at University of Sussex, Falmer]', Nottingham University, 1966

British Portraits, Royal Academy of Arts, London, 1956-7 ...More

British Portraits, Royal Academy, London, 1956-57
no. 660

Blunt, Anthony, Hand-list of the drawings in the Witt Collection, London, 1956
p. 44

Drawings from the Witt Collection at the Courtauld Institute of Art, St James's Square, London, York City Art Gallery and Peterborough Art Gallery, 1953
cat. no. 37 ...More

Watermark: Watermark: centre: Strasburg lily over filigree "W" (17.5 cm high, 2.8 cm between chain lines, not found in Churchill or Heawood).

Collector's mark: Verso: lower left corner, stamped in black ink: Sir Robert Witt (L.2228b).

Inscription: Recto: lower right corner, brown ink, signed? and dated by the artist: “Drawn from the Life by / John Russell R.A. 1794”. On separate strip of card, presumably removed from a former mount and now mounted with the drawing: brown ink: “Drawing of the Princes of Wales”. On separate label, formerly on the mount, now removed and in the file: typewritten but signed and dated by George Charles Williamson: “This drawing of George IV. as Prince Regent was made at / the Brighton Pavilion by John Russell, R.A. (see his own / inscription upon it), as a study for a large portrait, now, / it is believed [former three words crossed out in blue ink] in the possession of the Crown. [added in blue ink]: at Windsor Castle. / It was bequeathed to me in April, 1929, by the late Francis / H. Webb, great-grandson of the artist, and owner of Russell’s / diaries and papers from the family collection. / After my decease, I would like it to go to the Brighton / Museum, but I make no declaration to that effect, and my / executors are at full liberty, if they think fit, to sell it / (and it is in my opinion a very valuable drawing) by private / contract or public auction, but in the event of their not / needing or desiring to do so, then the Brighton Museum is, as / Mr. Webb and both agreed on discussing the picture, its fitting / final resting place. / Mount Manor House / Guildford / April 30, 1929 / George CWilliamson [signature ends with long line of “e”s]”.