An Exceptional Eye: A Private British Collection

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Lot 37
  • 37

English School

Estimate
8,000 - 12,000 GBP
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Description

  • English School
  • The appearance of the Angel to the Shepherds
  • with a later monogram l.l.: IO (Isaac Oliver), extensively inscribed on two labels attached to the frame (verso): Sir George Hungerford, who married Frances Second Daughter / of Charles Lord Seymour, was Mr Keate's Great Grandfather: / vide Keate's Works vol 1 page 169 in the Note / about: No. 1665 / This Picture done by Isaac Oliver formerly belongte [sic] / to my dear Mr Keate's ancestors and when shown by / him to Mr Horace Walpole the Late Earl of Orford, was / told by him that he did not recollect to have ever seen an / Historical Picture of this great Master before, tho' he had Seen and had many himself of his doing but all / either Single Portraits, or Conversation pieces - and / added that if he should print another Edition of the / Lives of the Painters, he should be obliged to Mr Keate / if he would permit him to give a description of it. / The above was written by Mrs Keate, whose Husband was / related to the Hungerfords of whose Family / this Picture had been preserv'd for many years / 16th June 1800. M. Fonnereau, Exr. of Mr & Mrs Keate    
  • watercolour on vellum, held in a 17th Century lacquered frame
  • diam. 12.5 cm; 5 in.

Provenance

Sir George Hungerford;
by family descent to Mr Keate;
by descent to his executor, Martyn Fonnereau (1740-1817);
by descent to his niece, Mrs George Hibbert, Munden, Hertfordshire;
with Hazlitt, Gooden & Fox, London (bt. as by Isaac Oliver)

 

Condition

The colours have remained fresh. On the surface of the painting there are several very small areas which have been rubbed. These can only been seen under magnification. The sheet has not been laid down. The seventeenth century frame is in good condition. However, its backboard is slightly worn. For further information regarding this lot please contact 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."

Catalogue Note

Although the early provenance of this miniature is not known, it is clear that the work is closely associated with the fashion for 'cabinet miniatures' which flourished in England during the first years of the 17th Century.

In his catalogue of the collection of King Charles I, Abraham Van Der Doort lists a number of cabinet miniatures depicting various mythological or religious subjects after Italian and Dutch masters. Isaac Oliver and to a larger extent his son Peter were perhaps the greatest exponents of this art form, however the present miniature suggests that there were other very skilful artists working in this way during the same period. Stylistically this miniature cannot be by either of the Olivers and in our opinion the monogram has been added by another hand.