Sir Anthony van Dyck

three-quarter length, wearing a blue dress with pearl decorations and necklace, a basket of flowers in her hands 

Probably Henry, 3rd Viscount Brouncker who bequeathed his chattels to Sir Charles Lyttelton 3rd Bt. ( 1629-1716 );
by descent to the present owner

London, South Kensington Museum, National Portraits Exhibition, 1866, no. 902;
Worcestershire Exhibition, 1882 (as "Dutchess of Buckingham" by Van Dyck);
London, Grosvenor Gallery, Exhibition of the Works of Sir Anthony Van Dyck, 1887, no.27;
Birmingham, City Art Gallery, 1926, no. 32 (42);
London, Royal Academy of Arts, 17th Century Art in Europe, 1938;
London, Royal Academy, Flemish Exhibition, 1953-54, no. 297

Catalogue of the Pictures at Hagley Hall, 1900, no. 17
John Loveday of Cavesham 1711-1789, ed. S Markham, 1984 p.508;
A Description of Hagley Park by the author of Letters on the Beauty of Hagley, Envil and Leasowes, Birmingham, 1777, p.10 ('The Duchess of Buckingham, Daughter to Lord Fairfax; by VanDyke' when opposite to the door into the Parlour);
W. Musgrave's 'Lists of Portraits', ed. A Meyer, Walpole Society, Vol 54, 1991;
J. Smith, A Catalogue Raisonne of the Works of the Most Eminent Dutch, Flemish and French Painters, 1831, no,492;
J. Guiffrey, Antoine Van Dyck: sa vie et son oeuvre, 1882, no. 419;
L. Cust, Anthony Van Dyck: A Historical Study of His Life and Works, 1900, p.271;
E. Larson, The Paintings of Anthony Van Dyck, 1988, no. 269;
S.J. Barnes, N. de Poorter, O. Millar, H Vey, Van Dyck, A Complete Catalogue of the Paintings, 2004, p. 622, IV. 252

STRUCTURE The canvas has been lined. PAINT SURFACE The painting appears to be in reasonably good condition though there is a layer of very dirty varnish overall and the surface of the paint has endured some rubbing overall. There is some slight retouching to the canvas in the background at the lower left of the canvas and there is some minor blistering at the very upper centre. ULTRAVIOLET Examination under ultraviolet light is largely prohibited by the opacity of the varnish though it does reveals some scattered minor retouching and small flecks of dirt overall. There is on inverted L shaped tear in the sleeve of the sitter to which there has been some old retouching. NOTE Though there has been some rubbing and abrasion of the paint, especially in the sleeve and shoulder of the sitter a light surface clean to remove some of the discoloured varnish and dirt would benefit the painting hugely, bringing out the flesh tones and giving it much more depth. FRAME Held in a gilded Victorian frame with intricately carved floral motifs at the corners and mid-sections of the 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. 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."