- 66
English School, circa 1735
Estimate
8,000 - 12,000 USD
bidding is closed
Description
- Portrait of a man in a red coat, knee-length, traditionally identified as George Frederick Handel
- oil on canvas
- 47 3/8 x 37 inches
Provenance
With Agnew's and Sons, Ltd., London;
With Scott & Fowles, New York, 1929;
There acquired by Francis Neilson, Chicago (as a portrait of George Frederick Handel by Thomas Hudson);
By whom given to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, in 1946 (inv. no. 46.60).
With Scott & Fowles, New York, 1929;
There acquired by Francis Neilson, Chicago (as a portrait of George Frederick Handel by Thomas Hudson);
By whom given to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, in 1946 (inv. no. 46.60).
Literature
K. Baetjer, European Paintings in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, A Summary Catalogue, New York 1980, vol. I p. 19, reproduced vol. II p. 253;
K. Baetjer, British Paintings in The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1575–1875, New York 2009, pp. 47–48, cat. no. 20.
K. Baetjer, British Paintings in The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1575–1875, New York 2009, pp. 47–48, cat. no. 20.
Condition
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 not been recently restored. The canvas has a glue lining, which has perhaps slightly diminished the texture of the original paint. The paint layer is noticeably dirty. If and when it is cleaned, it will probably become apparent that the bottom of the knot in the sitter's hair has been strengthened. There are isolated spots of restoration in the coat, but the crimson glaze seems to be original and intact. The face seems to be well preserved, as does most of the wig. The background shows isolated discolored retouches, but none that suggest any chronic condition issue. The lining can remain, but the painting should be cleaned and accurately retouched.
"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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
This elegant portrait was previously thought to depict the composer George Frederick Handel, though more recent scholarship has disproved that theory.
Katherine Baetjer dates the painting to circa 1735 based on the sitter's costume, referencing a costume plate by Louis Philippe Boitard after Dandridge, published in 1737 (see K. Baetjer under Literature, p. 42, fig. 33). An attribution to James Cranke (1707 - 1780) has been suggested.
Katherine Baetjer dates the painting to circa 1735 based on the sitter's costume, referencing a costume plate by Louis Philippe Boitard after Dandridge, published in 1737 (see K. Baetjer under Literature, p. 42, fig. 33). An attribution to James Cranke (1707 - 1780) has been suggested.