Circle of Jean Clouet

Joseph Altounian (1890-1954);
Thence by descent in the family;
From whom acquired by the present collector, circa 2000. 

The following condition report has been provided by Simon Parkes of Simon Parkes Art Conservation, Inc. 502 East 74th St. New York, NY 212-734-3920, simonparkes@msn.com, an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. This work has not been recently restored, but it is in very good condition. There do not appear to be any retouches at all. The panel is unreinforced on the reverse and shows a slight curve from left to right. The painting is slightly dirty. One can see that there some tiny specks of dirt in the lighter colors of the face and shirt. There may be remnants of an old varnish darkening the surface, particularly on the left edge of the green background and on the top edge. There are a few isolated paint losses that should be retouched in the fur trim. There is otherwise a visible lack of abrasion and weakness to the paint layer. The work would be presentable with careful cleaning, some retouches and a good varnish.
"This lot is offered for sale subject to Sotheby's Conditions of Business, which are available on request and printed in Sotheby's sale catalogues. The independent reports contained in this document are provided for prospective bidders' information only and without warranty by Sotheby's or the Seller."

The present panel can be placed within the circle of Jean Clouet, one of the most influential French portrait painters of the sixteenth century.  By Clouet's lifetime, portraiture, particularly that of the French court, was met with increased demand, from which arose copies and variations of Clouet's works by both his small atelier and a close circle of contemporary artists that included his son, François Clouet.

The sitter in this handsome portrait, wearing a decorative feathered hat and a plush fur trimmed coat, has been identified as possibly François de Compey, Lord of Gruffy.  The same sitter also appears in two anonymous sixteenth century portraits: a painting at the Château de Versailles (inv. no. 3141) and a black and red chalk drawing, formerly given to Jean Clouet, at the Musée Condé in Chantilly (inv. no. MN 72).¹

This painting is sold in an old, softwood and carved frame, fitted for a sliding portrait cover that is now missing.  

1.  See P. Mellen, Jean Clouet, New York 1971, p. 227, cat. no. 104, reproduced plate 130 (as Jean Clouet).