Lot 12
  • 12

Henry Jones Thaddeus

Estimate
6,000 - 8,000 GBP
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Description

  • Henry Jones Thaddeus
  • Portrait of Grand Duchess Elena Vladimirovna
  • signed in Latin and dated 1886 l.m.
  • oil on canvas
  • 96.5 by 66cm, 38 by 26in.
held in frame with the Romanoff coat of arms

Condition

Original canvas which is slightly loose on the stretcher. The canvas is slightly buckling in the upper right. There are some losses to the canvas along the edges, notably along the top edge and in the upper right corner. There are horizontal and vertical stretcher bark marks. There are two repaired tears with canvas patches visible on the reverse, one to the right of the sitter's head and one below her left elbow. There is a pattern of craquelure throughout. There is a layer of surface dirt. Inspection under UV light reveals some retouchings along the right edge and some isolated spots to the background and her dress. There are also small areas of retouching corresponding to the aforementioned tears. Held in an ornate gilt plaster frame. Unexamined out of frame.
"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

Born in 1882, Grand Duchess Elena Vladimirovna was the daughter of Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich of Russia and Duchess Marie of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, making her the niece of Tsar Alexander III and the first cousin of Tsar Nicholas II. Thaddeus recalled the Grand Duchess as having a violent temper and impressive pout when she sat for him in Cannes in 1886 (Julia P. Gelardi, From Splendor to Revolution: The Romanov Women 1847-1928, New York: St Martin's Press, 2011). She married Prince Nicholas of Greece and Denmark in 1902.