Circle of Karel Du Jardin

Apertins collection, Värmland, hanging in the Riddarsal (as a Portrait of René Descartes by Sebastian Bourdon);
Anonymous sale, Stockholm, Bukowski, 26 May 2003, lot 412, for 115,000 SEK (as attributed to Bartholomeus van der Helst);
Anonymous sale, Stockholm, Bukowski, 5 December 2012, lot 489, for 465,500 SEK (as Bartholomeus van der Helst).

Stockholm, Nationalmuseum, Christina, Queen of Sweden: a personality in European civilisation. The Council of Europe's 11th exhibition, 29 June - 16 October 1966, no. 1035.

Å. Wiberg, Apertin - En Värmlandsgårds historia, Malmö 1960, p. 160-161, reproduced p. 161 (as Sebastian Bourdon).

The canvas has a firm old relining. The paint surface is in fair condition, with some wear in the sitter's hair and coat, and in the background. There is a possible repaired tear (7 by 3 cm.) to the left of his shoulder in the background, as well as other small scattered repairs throughout. The glazes in the face and hands are well-preserved and retain their effects. There is a worn possible signature lower right on the ledge behind the figure, but it is now indiscernible and thus impossible to confirm. Inspection under ultraviolet light reveals extensive retouching in the hair, and to a much lesser extent in the sitter's coat. There is are very three delicate lines of old repair in his left cheek, between his lips, and on his chin. The picture requires a new varnish and is offered unframed.
"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."

The identity of the sitter has been long-debated. In 1960, it was published as being the French philosopher and mathematician René Descartes (1596-1650) who died in Stockholm. In the exhibition at the National Museum in 1966, it was then exhibited as a likeness of the governor of Vasteras, Polycarp Crumbügel- Cronhielm (1629-1698). The sitter shares similar features with the artist, compare for example the self-portrait in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.¹
1. See J. M. Kilian, The paintings of Karel Du Jardin, Amsterdam 2005, pp. 189-190, cat. no. 89, reproduced p. 367, plate 72.