Michiel Jansz. van Mierevelt

Probably a gift from the Court of Nassau to Isabella Susanna thoe Schwartzenberg en Hohenlansberg (1640–1723), on the occasion of her marriage to Gustaf Carlsson, Count of Börring and Lord of Lindholm (1649–1708), illegitimate son of King Charles X of Sweden;
Thence by inheritance to the present owners.

The panel is flat and uncradled, and is composed of three vertical panels, secured with glue. The paint surface is slightly unclean and the varnish is discoloured. Ultra violet inspection reveals a thick milky varnish which makes old restoration hard to discern. There are however some small spot retouchings from recent paint losses which are visible. The work is offered in a simple brown carved frame in 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."

Very few portraits of Johan Ernst van Nassau Siegen, who died young as a general in the Uskok War fighting to defend the Venetian Republic, are known: one bust-length likeness, in which he wears a flat collar and different armour, attributed to the workshop of Ravesteyn, is in the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam,¹ while another, three-quarter-length portrait, in which he wears a more comparable ruff and sash, is recorded by the RKD at auction in Munich, Rudolf Neumeister, 17 February 1995, lot 657, as (after?) Jan van Ravesteyn. The present portrait follows the type used by Mierevelt in his so-called Orange Series of portraits, including those of William, Philip William, Maurice, and Frederick Henry of Orange, now in Museum Prinsenhof in Delft.

We are grateful to Anita Jansen for endorsing the attribution to Mierevelt on the basis of first-hand inspection of the painting.

1. Inv. no. SK-A-531, oil on panel, 29.7 x 24.1 cm.