English School

STRUCTURE The painting is constructed of three separate panels. The panels are slightly bowed and the painting is cracked along the upper horizontal join. PAINT SURFACE The painting appears to be in good condition. There is some minor paint loss which corresponds to the horizontal crack at the panel join, and the paint is quite thin in places. PAINT TEST Age testing on the paint dates this painting to the sixteenth century. The ground is gesso based on chalk, followed by a thin, pale grey imprimatur layer of lead white and carbon black. The blues are azurite, the yellow is lead tin yellow. ULTRAVIOLET Examination under ultraviolet light reveals some minor strengthening in the lower right and along the panel join line mentioned above. DENDROCHRONOLOGY The panel support for the the present painting comprises 3 oak boards. Analysis of the tree-ring sequences from 2 of these provides an earliest possible date for the panel of 1575, and a likely usage date between 1575 and c. 1625. The 2 analysed boards in the panel were derived from a single tree from England. FRAME Held in a carved and gilded frame. For further information on this lot, or to read the full dendrochronology report, please contact Julian Gascoigne on 0207 293 5482, or at julian.gascoigne@sothebys.com.
"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."

Painted in the late sixteenth-century, some time shortly after 1575, this painting depicts the most powerful warship in Europe at that date. The Henry Grace à Dieu, popularly known as the Great Harry, was an English carrack, or 'great ship', contemporary with the Mary Rose, though even larger. Built at Woolwich between 1512 and 1514, she was one of the first ships to be built with gunports, carrying 43 heavy guns, including 20 of the latest heavy bronze cannon, and 141 light guns. She was an astonishing165 feet long, with a forecastle four decks high and with a ships complement of 700-1,000 men.  

She fought the French at the Battle of the Solent in 1545, the engagement in which the Mary Rose sank, but largely saw little action, chiefly being employed in more diplomatic roles, and sailing on occasion with sails made of cloth of gold. In 1547, after the accession of Edward VI, she was renamed for the new King and is believed to have been destroyed by fire at Woolwich in 1553.