- 192
Philip Mercier
Estimate
8,000 - 12,000 GBP
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Description
- Philip Mercier
- Allegory of Painting
- signed and dated lower right: Ph. Mercier fecit. / Ano. 1740
- oil on canvas
- 157.5 x 153.4 cm.; 62 x 60 3/8 in.
Provenance
Duke of Leeds, Hornby Castle;
From whence sold ('removed from Hornby Castle'), London, Foster's, 14 July 1909, lot 114;
With Leggatt Brothers, London;
Anonymous sale, New York, Parke-Bernet, 25-26 January 1963, lot 271;
Anonymous sale, New York, Parke-Bernet, 23 November 1996, lot 27;
Henry P. McIlhenny, Philadelphia;
By whom bequeathed to the Academy of Music of Philadelphia, Inc., Pennsylvania;
By whom sold, New York, Christie's, 16 January 1992, lot 119.
From whence sold ('removed from Hornby Castle'), London, Foster's, 14 July 1909, lot 114;
With Leggatt Brothers, London;
Anonymous sale, New York, Parke-Bernet, 25-26 January 1963, lot 271;
Anonymous sale, New York, Parke-Bernet, 23 November 1996, lot 27;
Henry P. McIlhenny, Philadelphia;
By whom bequeathed to the Academy of Music of Philadelphia, Inc., Pennsylvania;
By whom sold, New York, Christie's, 16 January 1992, lot 119.
Literature
Catalogue of paintings and portraits at Hornby Castle, 1868, no. 52;
Historical and descriptive catalogue of pictures belonging to his Grace The Duke of Leeds, London 1902, p. 58, cat. no. 156;
J. Ingamells and R. Raines, 'A catalogue of paintings, drawings and etchings of Philip Mercier', in The Walpole Society, vol. LXVI, 1977, p. 52, cat. no. 222.
Historical and descriptive catalogue of pictures belonging to his Grace The Duke of Leeds, London 1902, p. 58, cat. no. 156;
J. Ingamells and R. Raines, 'A catalogue of paintings, drawings and etchings of Philip Mercier', in The Walpole Society, vol. LXVI, 1977, p. 52, cat. no. 222.
Condition
The canvas is relined, the paint surface is clean and the varnish is clear and even. Inspection under ultraviolet light reveals minor scattered spot retouchings and strengthenings, with four slightly larger areas of retouching in the lady's chest, the largest of which measures approx. 1 x 4 cm. The painting is in overall very good condition without need for further attention. Offered in a carved and gilt wood foliate frame in very 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."
"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 companion painting by Mercier, of slightly smaller dimensions, representing an Allegory of Poetry, signed and dated 1740, was also in the collection of the Duke of Leeds and sold by Foster's in 1909, but its present whereabouts are unknown.1 1. See Ingamells and Raines 1976, p. 52, cat. no. 223, reproduced plate 4b.