Follower of Michiel van Miereveldt

Head and shoulders

Probably William Kerr, 3rd Earl of Lothian (1605-75);
Certainly in the collection of William John Kerr, 5th Marquess of Lothian (1737–1815), by 1775, when recorded in the inventory;
Thence by descent.

Newbattle Abbey inventory, c. 1775 (Blue Room);
Newbattle Abbey inventory, 10 March 1798 (Lady Ancram's Dressing Room);
Newbattle Abbey inventory, March 1833, no. 173;
Newbattle Abbey inventory, May 1878, no. 173 (Organ Hall);
C. Hofstede de Groote, 'Hollandsche Kunst in Schotland', in Oud Holland, 11, 1893, p. 215;
Newbattle Abbey inventory, December 1901, p. 79 (Upper & Organ Halls);
Monteviot House inventory, 14 July 1989, no. 173 (as by Michiel van Mierevelt, Great Hall).

The panel is un cradled and the two original vertical joins are now held by two sets of batons affixed to the reverse. Inspection under ultra violet light is hampered by the varnish which fluoresces opaque, but retouching is visible along the aforementioned joins and scattered throughout the background. In generally reasonable condition, but has suffered a little from wear in the past. Offered in a later composite gilt wood 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."

After Miereveldt's slightly larger signed and dated original of 1623, in the collection of the National Trust, Ashdown House.¹ In an undated letter to Thomas Cunningham,² probably from late December 1649, the 3rd Earl wrote: 'I am curious of such lyk things and of all kynde of pictures. Therfor I desire lykwise to have of your hands as of Michell Janson of delf [Miereveldt] the poutraits of ... The prince of Orange ...'³ This consignment of royal and noble portraits, though bought, never reached the 3rd Earl, being mistakenly sold in Newcastle on their way to Newbattle.⁴ It seems possible, however, that the Earl's desire for such likenesses may well have led to his acquiring them from an alternative source.

1. Accession number 493066. 
2. Thomas Cunningham was the 'Conservator of the Priviledges of the Scots Nation in the Low Countries', resident in Campvere, The Netherlands. The 3rd Earl turned to him for his supply of pictures when his former agent, John Clerk, moved to London.
3. Cited in R. Wenley, The Lothian Picture Collection: History and Context, M.Litt. diss., University of St Andrews, 1990, pp. 57-58.
4. See Wenley 1990, pp. 59-61.