RICHARD WAITT (D 1732) PORTRAIT OF A NOBLEMAN bust length in richly embroidered scarlet coat

RICHARD WAITT (D 1732) PORTRAIT OF A NOBLEMAN bust length in richly embroidered scarlet coat, feigned oval, signed and dated Ri: Waitt pinxit 1717, oil on canvas, 72 x 62cm The sitter has traditionally been identified as James Ogilvy, 4th Earl of Findlater and 1st Earl of Seafield, KT, PC (1664-1730) Lord Chancellor of Scotland, 1702-1704 and 1705-07. A key figure in bringing about the Acts of Union 1706, by 1713 he had changed his mind and attempted to have the legislation repealed. Sir John Baptist de Medina's portrait of Ogilvy in the National Gallery of Scotland was painted in 1695, some 22 years before the present portrait which does not assist in confirming, or otherwise, the sitter's identity. John Macky (Memoirs of the Secret Services of John Macky.... by his son Spring Macky) described Ogilvy as "very beautiful in his person, with a graceful behaviour, smiling countenance, and a soft tongue."