Frans Pourbus the Elder
Portrait of a young woman, aged 17, holding a small spaniel wearing a collar of bells
Property from a Private American Collection
Frans Pourbus the Elder
Bruges 1545/6 - 1581 Antwerp
Portrait of a young woman, aged 17, holding a small spaniel wearing a collar of bells
dated upper left: Ao DNI 1576; and inscribed above an armorial cartouche at upper right: Ætatis Svæ 17
oil on panel
43 by 30 ½ in.; 109.2 by 77.5 cm.
The panel is planar and cradled, and it appears to be made of at least four vertical boards. The painting presents a strong image overall with a wonderful retention of detail in much of the sitter's face, costume, jewelry and her dog. The image reads well beneath the varnish. Inspection under UV reveals some finely applied strokes of retouching to the upper part of her face and head, to address old wood grain. There are very few small spots scattered in her lower face and ruff, in her dog, and a few in the maroon and gold bodice, with some strokes visible in the fingers of her hand at lower right. Two spots of restoration are visible in her shoulder at left. More brushy restoration has been applied to the darks of her overcoat and skirt, and some retouching has been applied to the vertical joins, although this is not distracting. Some thin strokes of retouching are visible scattered in the background. Some old thin lines of lifting, which are stable and have been finely retouched, are visible scattered in the upper quadrant. The retouches have been well-applied throughout, though some strokes in the background have slightly discolored with age. Some old thin scuffed lines in the varnish are visible in strong light near the lower edge, and one that crosses through her chest. This painting is ready to hang. Offered in a decoratively carved gilt wood 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.
Her sale, Paris, Galerie Georges Petit, 8-10 December 1902, lot 6 (as Antonio Moro);
There acquired by Charles Sedelmeyer, Paris (as Antonio Moro);
From whom acquired by E.R. Bacon, 1905;
Anonymous sale, London, Christie’s, 14 March 1924, lot 39 (as Antonio Moro);
A. Ward;
Marie Thérèse, Comtesse de la Beraudiere, Paris;
Her sale, New York, American Art Association, 11-13 December 1930, lot 303 (as A. Moro);
There acquired by J.J. Bodell;
Private collector, Providence, Rhode Island;
By whom anonymously sold ("The Property of a Providence Private Collector"), New York, American Art Association, 23 January 1936, lot 72 (as Antonis Mor);
Estate of Vida L.W. Hudson, Petersburg, Va;
Anonymous sale, New York, Doyles, 20 September 1978, lot 134 (as Frans Pourbus I).
M.J. Friedländer, “Frans Pourbus der Ältere,” in Oud Holland, vol. 62, no. 3, 1947, p. 66, reproduced fig. 7;
G. Brackez, Frans Pourbus de Oudere (1545-1581): Een blik op zijn leven en oeuvre, pp. 40-41, M.A. diss., University of Ghent 2012, cat. no. A20, reproduced fig. 19.