Lot 271
  • 271

Francis Cotes, R.A.

Estimate
25,000 - 35,000 USD
bidding is closed

Description

  • Francis Cotes, R.A.
  • Portrait of Alice, Countess of Shipbrook
  • oil on canvas

Provenance

By descent to Charles Edmund Dashwood (1857-1935);
By whom sold ("The Dashwood Heirlooms," removed from Wherstead Park, Ipswich), London, Christie's, 26 June 1914, lot 95, to Gooden & Fox;
Benjamin de Casseres, London;
William Goadby Loew, New York;
His deceased (anonymous) sale, New York, Parke-Bernet Galleries, 27 April 1956, lot 317;
There purchased by P. Bader;
Acquired circa 1960 by Joseph A. Patrick;
By whose Estate sold, New York, Sotheby's, 9 June 2011, lot 110;
There acquired by the present collector.

Condition

Canvas has been relined. under a slightly dirty, dull varnish. the paint surface has been very well preserved and there is excellent detail in figure. an old, crudely repaired puncture can be seen in sky at upper right where retouching has discolored and there is a minor scratch at lower right corner. there appears to be a small vertical brown retouch (visible in catalogue image) on sash and part of bodice which may be over an old tear (?), but this is hard to tell. ultraviolet light reveals some smalll retouches to cheek, one or two other small retouches to lower part of costume and some at edges. the painting can be hung as is, but would benefit from a careful restoration and re-addressing of some of the old repairs.In an elaborately carved and gilt wood frame.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Catalogue Note

The sitter was Alice, daughter and co-heiress of Samuel Ibbetson of Denton Park, Yorkshire.  She married the English politician, Francis Vernon (1715-1783), who was created Earl of Shipbrook in 1777.  A pastel of their son, Francis (1752-1760), by Cotes is in the Frick Collection, New York.  A half-length version of the present portrait, within a painted oval, was sold at Christie's London, 16 July 1998, lot 11.

This portrait once belonged to William Goadby Loew (1876-1955), a prominent New York stockbroker and society figure.  He and his wife, Mrs. Florence Baker Loew, built one of the last (1932) and most elegant mansions in the Carnegie Hill neighborhood of New York at 56 East Ninety-Third Street (now part of The Spence School). Upon Mr. Loew's death in 1955 this portrait, which hung in his New York residence, was sold at auction through Parke-Bernet Galleries (see Provenance).