A LITTLE-KNOWN theatrical portrait by the legendary German painter Johann Zoffany has emerged for sale for £150,000.

It was painted in 1796 and depicts Edward Townsend, a famous actor of his time, singing 'The Beggar' in the popular pantomime Merry Sherwood.

The painstakingly rendered portrait depicts Townsend with his face taut in the act of singing.

The painting has been in the same family for generations since it was bought in 1820 by Thomas Wilkinson, the son of Jacob Wilkinson, a director of the East India Trading Company.

It has not been seen publicly since 1893 when it was displayed at the Royal Academy of Art in London along with other old master's paintings.

It will be going under the hammer at Duke's Auctioneers of Dorchester.

In 1796, Zoffany was at the height of his fame and had completed a celebrated trip to India where he created remarkable images of Indian sitters.

After returning to London he was quick to re-claim his position as the city's leading portrait painter.

This painting was praised by his contemporaries and even the famous art critic Anthony Pasquin.

Pasquin was a pseudonym used by John Williams, a prominent poet, satirist and journalist of his time.

He wrote: "This portrait is eminently characteristic, with a strict adherence to the minutiae of the stage dress.

"The countenance partakes of all the muscular whim of the original contour and expression of this supplicating visage."

Prominent art historian Robin Simon noted Zoffany's "nuanced approach enabled him to create a distinctive effect: that of depicting the actors both in and out of character at the same time.

"This duality lies at the heart of his achievement; but it also reflects the contemporary practice of a number of leading comic actors who, in a tradition that survives in the British pantomime, would interact, sometimes even verbally, with the audience during performance."

It will be sold today. (Thursday)