Follower of Gerrit Dou

G. R. von Epstein, Vienna, 1873;
Galerie St. Lucas, Vienna, 1960, from whom acquired.

Vienna, 1873, lent by G.R. von Epstein;
Vienna, Galerie Sanct Lucas, Gemälde alter Meister-Neuerwerbungen, December 1959 – January 1960.

W. Martin, Het leven en de werken van Gerrit Dou, Leiden 1901, p. 231, cat. no. 302a (as signed G. Dou);
C. Hofstede de Groot, A Catalogue Raisonné..., vol. I, London 1907, p. 390, cat. no. 134 (as signed by Dou);
Galerie Sanct Lucas, Gemälde alter Meister-Neuerwerbungen, Vienna 1959, as Gerard Dou, reproduced;
W. Sumowski, Gemälde der Rembrandt Schuler, Landau/Pfalz 1983, vol. I, p. 536, cat. no. 299, reproduced fig. 299 (as Dou);
R. Baer, The Paintings of Gerrit Dou (1613–1675), dissertation, New York 1990, cat. no. C42 (under Rejected Attributions).

The panel is flat and cradled, which has made it difficult to discern where beveling has occurred to the reverse of the panel. The paint surface is relatively clean however the varnish is slightly discoloured. There is one match-head sized paint loss in the lower part of the figure's dress. Under ultra violet inspection a milky varnish becomes apparent. There is an extensive old campaign of restoration throughout the work along the grain of the panel, and through the dark tones in particular to teh drapery, chair and bed behind the sitter. There is a more recent campaign in parts of the figure's dress and in the drpaery. Overall the condition is good and stable. The work is offered in a carved, black Dutch style 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."

This painting is listed by both Martin and Hofstede de Groot (see Literature) as a signed work. In the 1959 Galerie Sanct Lucas publication that accompanied their exhibition in Vienna in the same year, they noted that that the signature was of later date and was removed during cleaning.