Thomas Beach, R.A.

Commissioned by William Helyer (1720–1783), Coker Court, Somerset;

Thence by descent at Coker Court until the 1970s;

Thence by descent to a private collection, United Kingdom;

Whence sold, London, Christie's, 7 December 2018, lot 197, for £32,500 (for the set of four portraits of the Helyar children).

This charming portrait was commissioned circa 1768 by the sitter's father, William Helyar (1720–1883), to adorn the new Georgian wing of his house, Coker Court, near Yeovil, Somerset. The Helyar family had lived at Coker since 1616, when the manor was bought by William Helyar (1559–1645), Archdeacon of Barnstaple and Chaplain to Queen Elizabeth I (1533–1603). Staunch Royalists, the Helyars suffered under Cromwell's regime, but flourished during the Restoration.

Joanna's father, William, had ten children with his wife Elizabeth, née Weston, who he married in 1744. Fourteen family portraits were commissioned from Thomas Beach to hang in the new wing at Coker, remaining there until the 1970s (see Provenance). These included portraits of the present sitter's siblings – Harriet, Edward and Bridget – which sold alongside the present work at Christie's in 2018.