- 725
Gerrit van Honthorst
Estimate
30,000 - 50,000 GBP
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Description
- Gerrit van Honthorst
- Portrait of a gentleman, head and shoulders, with a red sash over his armour
- signed and dated centre right: GHonthorst 1637 (GH in ligature)
and inscribed by a later hand lower right: G.Honthorst - oil on canvas, in a feigned sculpted oval, in an English carved and giltwood frame
Provenance
4th Earl of Romney (1841-1905), The Mote, Kent, by 1872;
Acquired by Marcus Samuel, later 1st Viscount Bearsted (1853-1927), The Mote, in 1895;
His deceased sale, London, Christie's, 13 December 1929, lot 83, for £44.2s, to Bruyn;
Presumably bought back by his daughter The Hon. Mrs. Nellie Ionides(1883-1962);
Thence by descent to her grandson, the current owner from 1968, until the present day at Court House, Hampton Court, formerly the home of Sir Christopher Wren.
Acquired by Marcus Samuel, later 1st Viscount Bearsted (1853-1927), The Mote, in 1895;
His deceased sale, London, Christie's, 13 December 1929, lot 83, for £44.2s, to Bruyn;
Presumably bought back by his daughter The Hon. Mrs. Nellie Ionides(1883-1962);
Thence by descent to her grandson, the current owner from 1968, until the present day at Court House, Hampton Court, formerly the home of Sir Christopher Wren.
Literature
J.R. Judson and R.E.O. Ekkart, Gerrit van Honthorst, Doornspijk 1999, p. 315, cat. no. 475, reproduced plate 359;
J. L-M, Upton House, The Bearsted Collection: Pictures, London 1964, p. 41, cat. no. 137.
J. L-M, Upton House, The Bearsted Collection: Pictures, London 1964, p. 41, cat. no. 137.
Condition
The canvas has been relined and as a result the paint surface is slightly pressed. However, details like the watery of the sitter's eyes and the physiognomy of his face are well- preserved. There is a band of flaking along the lower part of the canvas, with some small scattered flakes lost altogether leaving a ground layer visible. This would need to be looked at by a restorer. On the far right some of the flakes have been overpainted and the overpainting has discoloured. Otherwise the colour of the paint surface has survived very well and if the old yellowish varnish could would be given a gentle clean the colours one would see this even more.
Inspection under Ultraviolet light reveals infilling of craquelure particularly to the lower part of the canvas.
This lot is offered in a goltwood frame, with decroative mouldings. In very good condition. (The frame matches those of lots 726-728).
"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."