Attributed to Cornelis Ketel

STRUCTURE Original panel, reinforced with inlaid butterflies down two of the panel joins and a mounted baton along both the top and the bottom PAINT SURFACE The painting appears to be ok condition. The panel has split down the length of the picture along the central panel join. There are two further vertical upheavels on either side measuring approx. 22 cm at the top of the panel which correspond with the two reinforced panel joins on the reverse. There is also evidence of one last vertical upheavel measuring approx 20 cm in the lower left hand quadrant. Other than these, there are no apparent losses or damages. ULTRAVIOLET Examination under ultraviolet light reveals a thick layer of discoloured varnish overall. It also reveals evidence of two previously restored splits running the length of the panel in parallel on either side of the upheavel located in the upper left. Elsewhere there is sime minor scattered retouching to the sitter's doublet and in the temple and forehead of his face. FRAME Held in a period carved and gilded wooden 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 was the eldest son of William Cecil, Lord Burghley and his first wife Mary Cheke. Like his father, he entered politics as M.P. for the constituencies local to the family seat at Burghley; Stamford 1563-67, 1571, 1572-83, Lincolnshire 1584-7, and Northamptonshire 1592-93. At the end of Elizabeth I's life his father placed him in important strategic roles, both as Lord Lieutenant of Yorkshire and Lord President of the Council of the North, to help secure a peaceful transition of power to James I. He married twice: first to Dorothy, daughter of Lord Latymer and secondly to Frances, daughter of Lord Chandos. His granddaughter, Diana, married as her second husband Thomas Bruce, 1st Earl of Elgin.