Shugborough, surrendered to HM Treasury in part-payment of death duties on the estate of Thomas (1883–1960), 4th Earl of Lichfield, transferred to the National Trust and managed by Staffordshire County Council, was most recently occupied by the well known society photographer, Patrick Lichfield (1939–2005), the 5th Earl. It had been lavishly expanded on by Thomas Anson (1695–1773), as seen in Nicholas Dall’s views of 1768–1775, enabled by the successful naval career of his younger brother, George, Admiral Lord Anson (1697–1762), immortalised by Sir Joshua Reynolds. Thomas, who had made the Grand Tour in 1724–1725, and became a founder-member of the Society of Dilettanti (1732), introduced huge inset architectural capriccios of the Bolognese School into the Dining Room, was able to buy a substantial collection of Old Master paintings and antique sculpture, and stud the park with a whole variety of classical structures after his brother’s death. Much had to be sold off though in 1842, after the sporting extravagances of Thomas (1795–1854), 1st Earl of Lichfield, with notable exceptions remaining, including ‘The Immaculate Conception‘ (1731) by Miguel Jacinto Meléndez and a curiously doctored version of Honthorsts’s 'The Angel Appearing to Saint Peter'.
Lady Louisa Jane Russell (1812–1905), Duchess of Abercorn, with Her Daughter Lady Harriet Georgiana Louisa Hamilton (1834–1913), Later Countess of LichfieldEdwin Henry Landseer (1802–1873)
National Trust, Shugborough Hall
Lady Elizabeth Yorke (1725–1760), Lady Anson, Holding a Drawing of Dante by Carlo DolciThomas Hudson (1701–1779) (and studio)
National Trust, Shugborough Hall
The Capture of the 'Nuestra Señora de Covadonga', 20 April 1743John Cleveley the elder (c.1712–1777)
National Trust, Shugborough Hall
A Corsican Goat's Head, Facing RightThomas Weaver (1774–1843)
National Trust, Shugborough Hall
Portrait of an Unknown VirtuosoJohn Vanderbank (1694–1739) (style of)
National Trust, Shugborough Hall
A Shooting Party at Ranton Abbey, StaffordshireFrancis Grant (1803–1878)
National Trust, Shugborough Hall
A Horned Cow in a Landscape, with OthersThomas Weaver (1774–1843)