Sir William Wolseley 5th Baronet Born 1692, died in 1779, wearing a blue velvet coat with white silk cravat and long periwig within a half oval, unsigned, oil on canvas, 74 by 62cm, in a gilt frame, 96 by 82cm. Notes: Sir William Wolseley 5th Bt (1692-1779) grandson of the 2nd Bt, and inherited from his unmarried uncles Sir William 3rd Bt and Sir Henry 4th Bt in 1730. His early career was spent in the army, he visited Wolseley frequently, prior to inheriting. Sir William enjoyed the arts, appreciated art and amassed a considerable collection of fine art, paintings and ornaments. He was the last of the Wolseley's to live in true grand style, keeping two houses in London, one in Leicester Square and Berkley Square. As was fashionable, Sir William kept a mistress, actress, Christina Horton (who was married) and had a daughter by her, Penelope (married to Benjamin Victor), who he recognised and acknowledged, her picture hung at Wolseley Hall. He married later in life, a love match, to the beautiful Anne Feildhouse. Anne was a cheesemongers daughter from Rugeley. After Anne's death there was a scandal and court case with 'the widow in the wood' , Mistress Anna Whitby. Benjamin Victor subsequently wrote a narrative on this entitled 'The widow of the wood'. Sir William never remarried and died aged 87 in 1779. Condition: No obvious repairs or damage, small losses to the frame, overall craquelure, possibly cleaned. Category: Art/Paintings Estimate: 4000-6000 GBP