- 334
***Hennessy
Estimate
15,000 - 20,000 USD
bidding is closed
Description
- ***Hennessy
- A group portrait of Baptist Noel, 4th Earl of Gainsborough, and his family
- signed and dated lower left Henesy P:a U 1737
Full-length, the Earl wearing a dark coat and grey waiscoat, his wife, Elizabeth, in a blue and white silk dress, their daughters, Elizabeth, Jane and Juliana all wearing white dresses, standing in a landscape with a pet deer and lambs
oil on canvas
Provenance
Anonymous sale, London, Christie's, November 18, 1988, lot 121;
With Lane Fine Art, London;
Anonymous sale, London, Christie's, November 17, 1989, lot 142;
With Norman Adams, Ltd., London, from whom acquired by the present owner in 1993.
With Lane Fine Art, London;
Anonymous sale, London, Christie's, November 17, 1989, lot 142;
With Norman Adams, Ltd., London, from whom acquired by the present owner in 1993.
Condition
The following condition report has been provided by Simon Parkes of Simon Parkes Art Conservation, Inc. 502 East 74th St. New York, NY 212-734-3920, simonparkes@msn.com , an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's.
This picture has been quite recently restored and could be hung as is. There is a scratch or two in the varnish in the upper portion which need small repairs. Under ultraviolet light restorations are visible in the lower portion of the dress of the sister second from the right. There is a break in the canvas in the trees above the view on the extreme right and presumably there are a few restorations which have been added to correct this and some other small losses. However, there are no readily visible restorations in the remainder of the picture and in general the condition seems to be particularly good. If the picture were to be cleaned and freshly varnished, perhaps more would be acquired in the background, overall however the condition is very good.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE 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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
Catalogue Note
An old handwritten label on the reverse identifies the sitters of this charming group portrait. Baptist Noel was born in May 1708, the son of Baptist Noel, 3rd Earl of Gainsborough and his wife, Lady Dorothy Manners, daughter of the 1st Duke of Rutland. On the death of his father in 1714, he succeeded as 4th Earl. In 1728, he married Elizabeth, daughter of William Chapman. The couple are depicted here with their three eldest daughters, Elizabeth, Jane and Juliana. The Earl died on March 21, 1750 and was succeeded by his eldest son, Baptist, as 5th Earl of Gainsborough.