Circle of Sir Anthony van Dyck

Lord Talbot de Malahide, Malahide Castle, Dublin;
Malahide Castle sale, on the premises, Christie's, 10th May 1976, lot 496 (together with a portait of Charles I)

Dublin, Royal Irish Art Union, The Works of the Ancient Masters, April-May 1847, no. 185

J.N. Brewer, The Beauties of Ireland, London 1825, Vol. I, p. 241 (as by van Dyck);
O. Millar, MS. Catalogue of the pictures at Malahide Castle, 1953, no. 147

STRUCTURE The canvas has been lined. PAINT SURFACE The painting appears to be in good condition with no apparent damage or loss of paint. There has been flattening to the modelling as is often the case with relining and there appears to be evidence of a discoloured varnish overall. ULTRAVIOLET Examination under ultraviolet light reveals some very minor retouching to the fleshtones around the sitter's left eye and chest, as well as some very minor strengthening to areas of shadow in the folds of the drapery. FRAME Held in a gilt wood 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."

This portrait relates to an important, lost three-quarter length portrait of Henrietta Maria by van Dyck. None of the known variants can be attributed to the master himself, however there is a good version in the Fine Arts Gallery of San Diego, and another is in the Bomann-Museum at Celle. See O. Millar et al., Van Dyck, A Complete Catalogue of the Paintings, New Haven and London 2004, p. 635, no. IV.A19.