Studio of Sir Peter Lely

Anonymous sale, London, Christie's South Kensington, 26 October 2011, lot 34;
There purchased by the present owner.

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 work has an old lining. It has been cleaned, retouched and varnished more recently and could be hung in its current condition. There are canvas joins running around the figure. It seems that the work was originally designed by the artist to be a 40 by 50 inch standard half-length portrait, and extensions were made on all sides of the picture at some point. These later additions are well applied, and the repainted areas are well understood and certainly attractive. The condition within the original portrait is very good, showing only a few retouches here and there. Clear appraisal of the condition under ultraviolet light is not possible, but the picture looks well to the naked eye. There are probably significant retouches around the four canvas joins and throughout the extensions.
"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."

Another version of this portrait, also from the studio of Lely, is in the Sackville Collection, Knole, Kent.