Vicente Lopez y Portaña

By descent in the family of the sitter

see note to lot 216

The canvas is unlined. The signed paint surface is secure, under a yellowed varnish, with a fine craquelure running throughout. The detail in the painting, particularly in the lace, is well-preserved. There is some frame abrasion visible along the lower margin of the painting, but otherwise no damages are visible to the naked eye. The craquelure to the right hand side of the upper half of the painting has previously been filled in and these retouchings have discoloured slightly. Inspection under UV light is largely impeded by the thick layer of varnish on the painting but does confirm this area of filling in and futher reveals some scattered spot retouchings to the remainder of the painting. The infanta remains largely original. Offered in a gilt wood and plaster frame 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."

The sitter is Isabel de Borbon, Infanta of Spain (1821-1897), later Countess Gurowski. Another version of this portrait is in a private collection in Madrid,identified by Díez, Vincente López (1772-1850) Il catálogo razonado, Volumen II, Madrid 1999, p. 98, no. P-389, reproduced plate 206, as Isabella II and dated instead to around 1831-2.

We are grateful to Dr. José Luis Díez for endorsing the attribution to Vicente Lopez on the basis of photographs.