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NICHOLAS HILLIARD | Portrait of a lady, traditionally identified as Queen Elizabeth I, circa 1590
Estimate
25,000 - 35,000 GBP
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Description
- Hilliard
- Portrait of a lady, traditionally identified as Queen Elizabeth I, circa 1590
- Watercolour and bodycolour heightened with gold and silver paint on vellum, laid on card, later gold and enamel frame
- 54 by 44 mm.
Provenance
Samuel Addington (1806-1886);
Dr John Lumsden Propert (1834-1902), London, by 1887;
Albert Jaffé (1842 - after 1904), Hamburg, by 1900;
Gavin, 2nd Baron Astor of Hever (1918-1984);
sale, London, Sotheby's, 11 July 1983, lot 51
Dr John Lumsden Propert (1834-1902), London, by 1887;
Albert Jaffé (1842 - after 1904), Hamburg, by 1900;
Gavin, 2nd Baron Astor of Hever (1918-1984);
sale, London, Sotheby's, 11 July 1983, lot 51
Exhibited
London, 1887, no. 468;
London (Burlington Fine Arts Club), 1889, case XXXIV, no. 22;
London, 1897, no. 18
London (Burlington Fine Arts Club), 1889, case XXXIV, no. 22;
London, 1897, no. 18
Literature
Propert, 1887, illust. opp. p. 58;
Propert, 1890, p. 7, no. 9 (as a Portrait of Queen Elizabeth by Nicholas Hilliard), illust. as frontispiece;
Jaffé, 1990, pl. 74
Propert, 1890, p. 7, no. 9 (as a Portrait of Queen Elizabeth by Nicholas Hilliard), illust. as frontispiece;
Jaffé, 1990, pl. 74
Condition
The is some paint loss along the boards of the artist's extension. Near the margins at 9 and 3 o'clock the blue ground has flaked and has been retouched. On the left hand side there is slight loss of the lace ruff. The silver paint of the pearl highlights have oxidised and have in some cases flacked off. The skin tones have evidently faded.
"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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
Hilliard initially planned this portrait to be of circular format but subsequently chose to change it to become an oval, by extending the blue ground at the upper and lower edges. Another miniature, which demonstrates the artist working in this way, was sold at Sotheby's, London, 6 June 2002, lot 71: Portrait of a lady, aged thirty (1582).