AFTER SIR ANTHONY VAN DYCK | Portrait of Cornelis van der Geest (1555–1638)

oil on canvas A copy after Van Dyck's painting, today in the National Gallery, London (inv. no. NG52).1 The portrait was probably painted around 1615–20, shortly before Van Dyck travelled to England for the first time. The sitter was a successful Antwerp spice merchant, and an important patron and collector of the arts. 1 https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/anthony-van-dyck-portrait-of-cornelis-van-der-geest 

All paintings available to view at the Sotheby’s Greenford Park warehouse, 5 - 7 and 10 – 13 September (10 - 4pm), by appointment. The canvas is lined, the paint surface is dirty and the varnish is discoloured with a visible drip coming down from the centre of the upper margin. There is a small paint loss above this drip, and additional frame abrasion, particularly along the left margin. There are several small discoloured retouchings visible scattered in the background, in the lower right corner, in the centre of his coat, and on his left shoulder, the largest of which measures 2 x 5 cm. Inspection under ultraviolet light confirms these, and also reveals small, fine retouchings in the sitter's face and beard, and scattered along all four margins.
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