A PORTRAIT of Beresford, first Marquess of Waterford, is expected to sell for up to £80,000 at an auction in Christies of London on July 12th. The marquess was one of the richest men in Ireland and his family seat, Curraghmore, was the most splendid and romantic in the country.

It is fitting that he would have had his portrait painted by one of London's most fashionable artists, John Zoffany R.A. (1733-1810).

Also in the sale are a pair of oil paintings by the Dublin-born artist, Robert Crone (1718-1779); both classical landscapes are expected to fetch up to £20,000. Two portraits of members of the Perceval family, attributed to Thomas Pooley, are also for sale. The portraits are of Sir Phillip Perceval and Sir John Perceval. The Percevals were known patrons of the arts and Sir John visited Thomas Pooley in February 1686. Shortly afterwards his agent, William Cooper, recorded that Mr Pooley charged £24 for the portrait and frame, "£5 more than he usually takes." Christies estimate the portraits will make £5,000-£8,000.