London – Portrait of Sir James Graham by Angelica Kauffman (1741-1807) was among the top selling lots at Bonhams Old Master Paintings sale in London on Wednesday 7 July. It sold for £114,000, having been estimated at £20,000-30,000.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, the Grand Tour was an important rite of passage for a British upper class young man. This often included a stay in Rome, which is where in 1783, Sir James Graham sat for this portrait by Angelica Kauffman. The painting had been in the family ever since, had never been lined and was in exceptional condition.

Bonhams Director of Old Master Paintings, Andrew McKenzie, said: "This was a wonderful painting with impeccable provenance coming, as it did, direct from the family of the sitter. Young men on the Grand Tour often had their portraits painted as a standard part of the experience – a welcome source of income for artists – but Kauffman had clearly taken great pains with this work and paid Sir James the compliment of depicting a man of flesh and blood."

Other highlights included:

• Head of Christ, on the kerchief of Saint Veronica by Studio of Domenikos Theotokopoulos, called El Greco (1541-1614). The story of Saint Veronica and her Veil does not appear in the Bible, but legend has it that Veronica approached Christ on the road to Cavalry and offered to wipe the blood and sweat from his face with her Veil. Her act of kindness was repaid when the features of Christ's face were miraculously imprinted on the cloth. Sold for £137,750 (£10,000-15,000).

• Shipping in a calm sea by Samuel Scott (1702-1772). The painting was commissioned by Horace Walpole to hang at Strawberry Hill in The Gallery, which he created between 1761 and 1763 as a place to entertain and to display pictures. Of the large set of Scott's views commissioned by Walpole for the two niches in the Gallery this is the only one to have resurfaced. It had outstanding provenance, having been bought at the Strawberry Hill sale in 1842 by the forebears of the consignor. Sold for £87,750 (£50,000-70,000).

• The Piazza del Popolo, Rome by the Circle of Bernardo Bellotto (1720-1780). The work bears the inscription 'Veduta della Piazza del Popolo entrandosi nella Citta di Roma' on the reverse. Sold for £77,750 (£15,000-20,000).

• Venus chastising Cupid, Bolognese School, late 16th century. Sold for £69,000 (£15,000-20,000).

7 July 2021