Lot 30
  • 30

Charles Philips

Estimate
5,000 - 7,000 GBP
bidding is closed

Description

  • Charles Philips
  • portrait of a gentleman, full length, seated playing a cello, a spinet behind
  • oil on canvas, held in a British Baroque frame 

Provenance

Mrs. M. Bibby, by whom sold Sotheby's London, 12 March 1979, lot 76 (bt. McAlpine);
His sale at Fawley House Sotheby's, 14th October 2003, lot 433

Literature

R. Leppert, Music and Image, 1988, p. 132 (illus)

Condition

STRUCTURE The canvas has been lined. PAINT SURFACE The painting appears to be in good condition. There is an even cracquelure in keeping with age and some minor re-painting to the edges of the canvas where there has been frame abrasion. ULTRAVIOLET Ultraviolet light reveals very minor re-touching to the canvas edges and specks of re-touching overall. FRAME Held in a British Baroque 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."

Catalogue Note

This portrait is clearly intended to celebrate the sitter's devotion to music. Not only is he portrayed playing music on his cello but a spinet by Ladyman of London is depicted behind him. The spinet was essentially a woman's instrument strongly suggesting that the female members of his family are also musical.

John Ladyman was a spinet-maker in London during the early part of the eighteenth century. He was born c. 1693, being baptised that year in Southwark. He served as an apprentice to Thomas Barton in 1708, and was given the freedom of the Joiner's Company in 1725. The date of his death is unrecorded but is known to be before 1745. Only two spinets made by him are known to have survived (see D. Boalch, Makers of the Harpsichord and Clavichord 1440-1841, 1995).