Studio of Sir Anthony van Dyck

The Hon Mary Howard (1785-1877), Ashstead Park, Surrey;
Mrs. Gunsten, until sold Anonymous Sale, London, Christie's, 3rd July 1931, lot 30 (bt. for 8 gns. 8 s as a Portrait of Hon. Mary Howard, by Northrop)

STRUCTURE The canvas has been lined, ad there are two patches, verso, one small one in the upper centre, and one slightly bigger in the lower centre. PAINT SURFACE The painting appears to be in good condition, thought there is a slightly crazed varnish in the background, and the lower left. There is no apparent damage or loss of paint. ULTRAVIOLET Examination under ultraviolet light reveals retouching to a small old tear, lower centre, approximately 3 inches long, as well as to a smaller one, upper centre, in the background above the sitter's head, which correspond to the patches on the reverse. There is minor scatterd retouching overall, predominantly in the lower left. FRAME Held in a carved and gilded Sunderland 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."

One of the three great beauties at the court of Charles I, the sitter was the daughter and sole heir of Robert Carr, 1st Earl of Somerset and his wife, the notorious Frances Howard, daughter of Lord Thomas Howard, later 1st Earl of Suffolk. Anne was born in the Tower of London on 9th December 1615, whilst her parents were imprisoned there under charges of murder. The family were later released and pardoned by the King and Anne later married  William Russell, 5th Earl and later 1st Duke of Bedford, by whom she had seven children. The couple lived at Woburn Abbey in Bedfordshire, where Anne died in 1684, less than a year after her son William was beheaded for his part in the Rye House Plot.