Ralph Gore, Viscount Belleisle and 1st Earl of Ross (by Thomas Spencer)

Thomas spencer (british, active circa 1730 - circa 1763) ralph gore, viscount belleisle and 1st earl of ross (1725-1802) on his bay hunter in a landscape later inscribed lower left: ralph gore / earl of ross oil on canvas 101 x 137. 5 cm.;39¾ x 54⅛ in. The sitter was born at belle isle castle, the second son of sir ralph gore, 4th bt. , and his second wife elizabeth, only daughter of st. George ashe, bishop of clogher. A distinguished soldier and politician he was created earl of ross in 1772, a title that had been dormant since the previous earl of ross had become king charles i in 1625. Ralph gore was a cousin of hannah gore (who was married to nathaniel clements, the 1st earl of leitrim’s father) and also married her youngest daughter, alice - making him the brother-in-law of robert clements, 1st lord leitrim. Date: 18th century.