- 380
Arthur Devis
Estimate
25,000 - 35,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- Arthur Devis
- Portrait of a Lady, seated at a harpsichord, possibly Lucy, Duchess of St. Albans (d. 1752)
- signed and dated lower left: Art: Devis fe. / 1749
- oil on canvas
Provenance
John Maurice Drummond-Brydson (1896-1983);
By whom sold, London, Sotheby's, 13 December 1972, lot 116 (as a 'Portrait of a Lady, possibly the Duchess of St. Albans' to S. Sabin for £1,000);
With Sabin Galleries, London, 1972-1975;
Purchased from the above, circa 1975, by Mrs William McAlpine, later Lady McAlpine, Fawley Green, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire;
By whom sold, anonymously ("The Property of a Lady of Title"), London, Christie's, 12 November 1986, lot 87 (as 'Portrait of a Lady').
By whom sold, London, Sotheby's, 13 December 1972, lot 116 (as a 'Portrait of a Lady, possibly the Duchess of St. Albans' to S. Sabin for £1,000);
With Sabin Galleries, London, 1972-1975;
Purchased from the above, circa 1975, by Mrs William McAlpine, later Lady McAlpine, Fawley Green, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire;
By whom sold, anonymously ("The Property of a Lady of Title"), London, Christie's, 12 November 1986, lot 87 (as 'Portrait of a Lady').
Exhibited
London, Grosvenor House, Antiques Fair, 1975.
Literature
E. G. D' Oench, Arthur Devis (1712-1787): Master of the Georgian Conversation Piece, unpublished PhD dissertation, Yale University, May 1979, p. 444, no. 183.
Condition
The catalogue illustration is representative and the canvas has been lined. The paint surface is in very good condition with no apparent damage or loss of paint. There are very minor flecks of retouching visible in a raking light in the floor lower left and to the background architecture. Ultraviolet confirms this and reveals a small old area of retouched damage lower right. There is also very minor retouching to the upper stretcher bar mark and to the canvas edges. Otherwise there is very minor cosmetic scattered retouching to an old very fine craquelure in the centre and elsewhere such as to the piano which has been very well done. Offered in a gilt wood and plaster frame in good overall condition.
"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."
"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."