- 186
Paulus Lesire
Estimate
15,000 - 20,000 GBP
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Description
- Paulus Lesire
- Portrait of a lady at the age of eighteen, half-length, wearing a white ruff and holding a pair of gloves with red and gold trimmings
- inscribed and dated upper right: AE . 18 . / ao . 1635 . (AE in ligature)
- oil on oak panel, possibly converted into an oval
Provenance
Count Otto Thott (1703–85), Gavnø Castle, Denmark;
Thence by descent by Baron Axel Reedtz-Thott (1920–73), Gavnø Castle, Denmark;
By whose Trustees sold London, Christie's, 9 July 1976, lot 127 (as Nicolas Elias Pickenoy);
With Richard Green, London;
From whom acquired by the mother of the present owner.
Thence by descent by Baron Axel Reedtz-Thott (1920–73), Gavnø Castle, Denmark;
By whose Trustees sold London, Christie's, 9 July 1976, lot 127 (as Nicolas Elias Pickenoy);
With Richard Green, London;
From whom acquired by the mother of the present owner.
Literature
K. Madsen, Fortegnelse over to hundrede af Baroniet Gaunes, etc., Gavnø 1914, no. 111 (as Paulus Moreelse);
K. Madsen, Marlerisamlingen paa Gavnoe, Kunstmuseets Aarsskrift, Gavnø 1917, vol. IV, p. 52 (as Paulus Moreelse);
V. Winkel, Kunst I Privat Eje, Copenhagen 1945, vol. III, p. 38 (as Paulus Moreelse).
K. Madsen, Marlerisamlingen paa Gavnoe, Kunstmuseets Aarsskrift, Gavnø 1917, vol. IV, p. 52 (as Paulus Moreelse);
V. Winkel, Kunst I Privat Eje, Copenhagen 1945, vol. III, p. 38 (as Paulus Moreelse).
Condition
The panel is made up of three planks, joined vertically but uncradled. The paint surface is stable, though a little worn in areas, and the varnish is clear and even. There is a small superficial surface scratch in the lower left part of the sitter's ruff, and another tiny superficial mark, centre left. Inspection under ultraviolet light reveals that the background has been strengthened, and there are some retouchings around the shadows to the lower right of the sitter's face, and some spot retouchings around her nose, right eye and her forehead. In overall good 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."
Catalogue Note
This painting, traditionally attributed to Paulus Moreelse and more recently to Nicolas Elias Pickenoy, formed part of the collection assembled by Count Otto Thott. At his death in 1785, it was the largest in Denmark, comprising some 3,000 works. His castle at Gavnø was restored and rebuilt in 1755, partly to accommodate the paintings which the Count had collected since his youth.
We are grateful to Sabine Craft-Giepmans for endorsing the attribution to Paulus Lesire, on the basis of a photograph.