Circle of Edward Bower

by descent from the sitter to Mary Cooke (d. 1750) of Highnam who married Henry Guise circa 1730;
Thence by descent in the Guise family at Elmore, Gloucestershire

STRUCTURE The canvas has a firm lining. PAINT SURFACE The painting appears to be in generally good condition, though there is a very dirty and discoloured, opaque varnish overall. On close inspection there are some minor scratches in the lower left, and a further scratch through the dogs face, with some associated old retouching. ULTRAVIOLET Examination under ultraviolet light reveals minor scattered retouching in the lower section of the picture. Otherwise there is no apparent recent retouching. FRAME Held in a carved and partly gilded, partly painted frame. To speak to a specialist about this lot please contact Julian Gascoigne on +44 (0)207 293 5482, or at julian.gascoigne@sothebys.com, or Ludo Shaw Stewart on +44 (0)207 293 5816, or at ludovic.shawstewart@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 is thought to be Jane Danvers, the widow of the poet George Herbert, who later married Sir Robert Cooke (d.1643), of Highnam Court, Gloucestershire, in 1634 as his second wife (see previous lot). Jane's parents lived at Baynton House, near Dauntesey, Wiltshire, and she was a cousin of Henry Danvers, Earl of Danby, in whose house she met and fell in love with George Herbert. Described by her relative John Aubrey as 'a handsome bona roba, and ingenious' (Brief Lives, p.295), and 'a loving and vertouous lady', she married Herbert in 1629. Following her marriage to Sir Robert Cooke she took many of Herbert's manuscripts with her to Highnam, but these were destroyed when Parliamentary forces attacked the house during the Civil War.