Flemish School, 17th century

Portrait of Louis Nevers: Relined. canvas is a bit buckled with an indentation at center in his breast plate. overall the paint surface has been well retained. there are serveral old, crudely done repairs visible to naked eye: near helmet lower left, over an old tear lower right and above shield upper left. ultraviolet light reveals retouchings as mentioned. in addition there are also retouchings on repaired tears along upper canavas in white cartouche, others scattered in background. a few retouches on hair and costume but for the most part the figure looks good. this painting is in a black wood frame. Portrait of Robert Le Frison: Relined. canvas is buckled and uneven. as with the other picture, there are scattered crudely done old repairs visible to naked eye, mostly in background areas. under ultraviolet light one can see scattered retouches in background and in both cartouches. a few on figure. this painting is in a bit rougher state thant the other. this painting is unframed. These paintings could be hung as is and are still impressive images despite some problems. However, both would benefit from a re-addressing of the old, poorly done repairs which could certainly be improved upon.
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.
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These portraits depict Robert Le Frison, 10^th Count of Flanders and Louis de Nevers, 24^th Count of Flanders, who, while they were in power almost 300 years apart, each struggled to maintain control over their lands.  

Robert le Frison battled with his brother (and subsequently his brother's family) to maintain control of the imperial fiefs which had been granted to him by his father, Baldwin V, 8^th Count of Flanders, on the occasion of his wedding in 1063.  These fiefs owed allegiance to the Holy Roman Emperor; however, when Baldwin V died in 1067 and his eldest son acceded to the throne as Baldwin VI, he claimed not only his inherited royal fiefs, which owed allegiance to the King of France, but also his younger brother Robert's.  Battles between the two brothers ensued, and Baldwin VI was killed in 1070, whereupon his widow, Richilde, took up her husband's claim on behalf of her son Arnulf III.  At the battle of Bavenshoven in 1071, Arnulf III was slain and Richilde was taken prisoner.  Following this decisive victory, the King of France and the Holy Roman Emperor each granted their fiefs to Robert le Frison, who assumed the title of 10^th Count of Flanders.

During the reign of Louis, 24^th Count of Flanders, the province of Flanders was under the sway of the French monarchy.  Louis was brought up in the French Court and was married to Margaret of France.  After he came to the throne in 1322, Flanders essentially became a French province.  The communes of Flanders, centered around the cities of Ghent, Bruges, and Ypres, had been traditionally independent commercial centers and were resistant to laws and obligations which originated in France.  During the latter part of Louis' reign, they revolted under Jacob van Artevelde.  In 1346, Louis was killed at the battle of Crécy.  Unfortunately for the rebels, he was succeeded by his equally Francophile son, Louis of Mâle.  Louis of Mâle was able to put down the rebellion by dividing it, playing upon the traditional rivalry between the cities of Ghent and Bruges.