Studio of Gerrit van Honthorst

Possibly commissioned by Elizabeth, Queen of Bohemia (1596-1662), and probably bequeathed by her to William Craven, 1st Baron and 1st Earl of Craven (1608-1697);
Private Collection, Australia.

The catalogue illustration is representative. The picture is painted on a thin three part panel and the paint surface appears to be in very good overall condition. There is no apparent damage or loss of paint except for a restored minor curved surface scratch measuring approx. 4 in. running through the forehead but this is visible only under a raking light, as are the panel joins. The paint is thin in places, especially in the background and in the hair, however this does not compromise the integrity of the picture. Examination under ultrviolet light reveals several campaigns of retouching particularly in the background. Elsewhere there has been retouching to the aforementioned scratch as well as to the panel joins. There is also minor cosmetic retouching throughout the sitter's face and armour. Offered in a decorative gilt wood, carved tulip 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.
"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 picture is based on the Portrait of Charles I by Sir Anthony van Dyck which was originally in the Imperial Collection in Prague, where it was recorded in 1718 (now in the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister, Dresden¹). Wax seals, stamped on the back of the panel, bearing the arms of the Craven family, of Coombe Abbey, suggest that the picture may well have been part of the collection of paintings bequeathed to William Craven, 1st Earl Craven (1608-1697) by Elizabeth of Bohemia in 1662. Elizabeth was Charles I's sister and this portrait fits stylistically with the group of family portraits painted for Elizabeth and her husband, Frederick V, Elector Palatine, and King of Bohemia, by Gerrit Honthorst. It is possible that Honthorst, or his studio, used the Prague portrait as a prototype from which to include a portrait of the Queen's brother in this family group. 

1. see O. Millar et al., Van Dyck, A complete catalogue of the paintings, New Haven and London 2004, no. IV.58.