Lot 154
  • 154

STUDIO OF SIR PETER LELY | Portrait of a lady, three-quarter-length, wearing a silver dress, seated beside an urn and before a red curtain

Estimate
10,000 - 15,000 GBP
bidding is closed

Description

  • Portrait of a lady, three-quarter-length, wearing a silver dress, seated beside an urn and before a red curtain
  • oil on canvas
  • 126 x 102.7 cm.; 49 5/8  x 40 3/8  in.

Condition

The painting has a firm lining. The surface is dirty, however there are no extant damages or loss of paint. There are small scattered flecks of household emulsion on the surface, predominantly on the left hand side of the picture. Examination under ultraviolet light reveals a small number of scattered crudely applied retouchings overall, predominantly concentrated in the drapery. The overall condition is good and the picture is likely to respond well to cleaning. Held in a carved and gilded wooden 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."

Catalogue Note

A version of the painting in the collection of the Duke of Portland, which carries an inscription: 'Eliz.th Cavendishe, 1.st / Daughter to Henry Duke / of Newcastle Married to / Christopher Monk 2.d / Duke of Albemarle.'1 Elizabeth Cavendish, Duchess of Albemarle, known for most of her life as 'the Mad Duchess', was born in 1654, however, and since this portrait would appear to date to the 1660s, she cannot be identified with this sitter. This pose and setting, with the urn, was reused by Lely and his studio in numerous portraits, including that in the Italian Embassy, London, identified as Mary Butler, and another sold London, Sotheby's, 14 March 1990, lot 32, as portrait of Mary Bagot, Countess of Middlesex and Dorset.

1 See C. Fairfax Murray, Catalogue of the pictures belonging to His Grace the Duke of Portland, at Welbeck Abbey, and in London, London 1894, p. 34, cat. no. 123, reproduced.