The Hon. Holles St.John (1710-1738) attributed to John Vanderbank

The painting, not previously known to exist, came onto the market in 2020 and was purchased by The Friends of Lydiard Park to add to the St.John family portrait collection at Lydiard House. Holles St.John was a younger son of Henry 1st Viscount St.John who pursued an interest in the stage and owned shares in Covent Garden Theatre which opened to a great fanfare in 1732. He quite possibly acted himself.

Discovering the painting will prompt fresh research into Holles's life and times and the St.John family's theatrical links.