Christian Friedrich Zincke

The miniature is in very fine condition. For further information on this lot please contact either Mark Griffith-Jones (0207 293 5083) or Emmeline Hallmark (0207 293 5407) mark.griffithjones@sothebys.com emmeline.hallmark@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."

The sitter was born in Norfolk, the eldest son of Andrew Fountaine (1632-1707) and Sarah (b. 1654), daughter of Sir Thomas Chicheley. A King's scholar at Eton, he was knighted at the age of twenty-three, having been selected to make the Latin oration to King William III on his entry to Oxford. Although an experienced diplomat and eventual Warden of the Royal Mint (1727-1732), it is as a scholar and art collector that Fountaine is most admired. He undertook two Grand Tours of Italy, the first in 1702 and the second in 1715/16. During his travels and afterwards, he accumulated a celebrated collection of medals, drawings, paintings, sculpture and majolica.  A knowledgeable connoisseur, Fountaine was considered by his contemporaries as equal to any Italian art-dealer. Jonathan Richardson (1664-1745) declared that he 'out Italianed (sic) the Italians' (see W.T. Whitley, Artists and their friends in England, 1700-1799, vol. 2, 1928, p. 118).

Upon his return to England Fountaine housed his collection at his family seat Narford Hall, Norfolk. The Hall soon became a place of pilgrimage for those interested in the arts. The collection remained intact after Fountaine's death in 1753. However, much was sold by Christie's in 1884, in a sale which took place over a period of four days. The sitter also owned the miniature cabinet earlier offered in this sale.