Gerard Soest

Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 3rd Earl of Shaftesbury, St. Giles House, Dorset;
Thence by descent to his son, Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 4th Earl of Shaftesbury, St. Giles House, Dorset;
By whom sold, London, Christie's, 27 June 1980, lot 142;
With Thos. Agnew & Sons, Ltd., London (according to a label on the reverse).

The following condition report has been provided by Simon Parkes of Simon Parkes Art Conservation, Inc. 502 East 74th St. New York, NY 212-734-3920, simonparkes@msn.com, an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. This painting may not have been recently restored, but the restoration appears effective nonetheless. The work may be slightly dirty. One can see that a few of the retouches have discolored in the blue fabric draped over the figure. There are retouches throughout the blue fabric, but they are not excessively numerous. One can see that there are other finely added retouches addressing slight thinness around the eyebrows, in the softer more shadowed areas of the face and hair, and in the background. The dog and the hands of the sitter are very slightly thin but beautifully restored. The work is lined; the lining is old and effective. The frame seems to have lost an element on the top, but it is nonetheless a respectable frame. If the work were lightly dusted and re-varnished, and the frame perhaps attended to, the painting should be hung as is.
"This lot is offered for sale subject to Sotheby's Conditions of Business, which are available on request and printed in Sotheby's sale catalogues. The independent reports contained in this document are provided for prospective bidders' information only and without warranty by Sotheby's or the Seller."