Circle of Frans van Mieris the Elder

Gildemeester, Amsterdam, 1800;
Sir Simon Clarks, London, 1802;
Sir Francois Cook, Doughty House, Richmond;
Sir Frederick Cook, Doughty House, Richmond;
Sir Herbert Cook, Doughty House, Richmond (all of the above according to a label on the reverse);
H. Katz, 1961, with the Cook provenance.

The actual painting is softer and less red in tone than the catalogue illustration suggests. The single panel is in good condition. No damages are apparent and the paint layer is generally sound, if a little thin in the background. Some minor retouchings can be observed in the background and around the glass, as well as some minor strengthening in the costume of the man. The paint surface is under a slightly dirty varnish. Inspection under UV light reveals very few additional tiny retouchings in the coat, dress and cheek of the lady, who, overall, is nicely preserved and some very minor ones in the oyster plate. Offered in a later plain wood frame with faux tortoise shell inlay, in good condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

A seventeenth-century copy after the original of 1661 by Van Mieris now in the Mauritshuis, The Hague (inv. no. 819). The present work differs from the prime version in several details, notably in the still-life on the table, and in the presence of the landscape painting on the wall behind.¹ A watercolour by Jacobus Buys (1724-1801) after this composition was sold in these Rooms, 10 November 1998, lot 117 (fig. 1), but one cannot ascertain whether Buys made this watercolour after the present work, perhaps when it was in Amsterdam before 1800, or from a lost, autograph version of the composition, painted by Van Mieris himself.

1. Otto Naumann mentiones one other version, identical to this composition, with Speelman, London, 1952. See O. Naumann, Frans van Mieris the Elder (1635-1681), Doornspijk 1981, vol. II, pp. 46-7, cat. no. 36u, reproduced plate C 36u.