Hendrik Pothoven Amsterdam 1725 - 1807

Anonymous sale, Christie's, Laren, 10 April 1978, lot 429;
With J. Hoogsteder, The Hague, by 1979.

Both paintings are significantly warmer and more yellow in tone than the illustrations in the catalogue suggest. Both panels consist of one plank and are bevelled on all sides. In the portrait of the man, the paint surface has grown a bit thin, particularly to the background. There are a few tiny scratches to the upper left corner, as can be seen on the catalogue illustration. There's minimal frame abrasion to the right and lower edge, just as in the portrait of the woman. In the portrait of the woman, some very tiny flecks of paint loss which have been retouched, can be seen along the left and right edge, and to the background centre left. Minimal retouching can be observed in the woman's forehead and chin. Both paintings have a very fine craquelure pattern, which varies in places, and are under a layer of discoloured varnish. Overall, both paintings appear to be in good condition. Inspection under ultra violet light is largely obscured by the varnish layer, but does confirm the retouchings to the woman's face, and in both portraits reveals additional tiny retouchings and strengthenings, e.g. in the woman's hair, in the man's face, and in his costume. Both offered in decorative gilt wood frames with a few chips. (MW/ML)
"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."

Both paintings bear a label on the reverse most likely incorrectly identifying the sitters as Jean Scipion Vernède (born 1714) and Anna Jacoba van den Heuvel (1731). The labels were probably written by a great grandson, because another label on the reverse of the male portrait reads: mon bisaïeul, H.Vernède, 4 okt 1883.
The female portrait also bears a label identifying the woman as Petronella Jeanne du Peyrou, which is most likely the correct identification. Jean Scipion died in 1779, three years before Pothoven painted the portraits. Jean Scipion's son, Jacob Henri, married Petronella Jeanne du Peyrou in 1781, and would have been 27 by the time Pothoven portrayed him and his wife. The entanglement of identities could have appeared, because Moes mentions a portrait of Jean Scipion Vernède by Hendrik Pothoven. However this portrait is dated 1768.¹

1.See E.W. Moes, Iconographia Batava, Amsterdam 1905, vol. II, no. 8410.