Gerard Soest

By descent to Sir Robert Harland, Wherstead Park, Ipswich;
Thence by descent to Charles Edmund Dashwood;
Anonymous sale, London, Sotheby's, 22 March 2000, lot 58.

E. Waterhouse, The Dictionary of 16th & 17th Century British Painters, Woodbridge 1988, p. 250, reproduced.

The canvas is tightly lined and as result appears to be slightly pressed. Overall, the figure reads well and is presented in an elaborately painted oval frame. There are a few faint scratches on the bottom right quadrant, but these are not too distracting. There is some slight thinness throughout his hair which have lost some definition. Under inspection of UV light, what appears to be three possible old repairs fluoresce, one is curved and about three inches that runs through his collar and neck, another spot on his cheek at left, and lastly a circle on the edge at bottom center. Some of these marks are visible to the naked eye, along with another slightly larger line that runs through the sitter's eye at right all the way down to his silver robe, and could possibly be a result of either an old repair or dripping of the varnish. Probable scattered retouches are on the background around the figure. Painting is offered in an elaborately carved gilded frame with some minor losses from regular wear.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.