STUDIO OF SIR PETER LELY | Portrait of Lucy Loftus, Viscountess Lisburne

The picture has a firm lining and the canvas weave is visible in places. There are no extant damages or loss of paint. There is scoring to some crudely applied retouchings in the sky, upper right, and the blue pigments of the dress are quite abraded. Examination under ultraviolet light reveals extensive old retouchings throughout, particularly to an old year in the lower right centre of the canvas, around the gesticulating arm. Held in a reproduction baroque style gilt 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."

The sitter was the daughter of George Brydges, 6th Baron Chandos (1620–55) and his second wife Lady Jane Savage. She married, as his first wife, Adam Loftus (1647–91), the second son of Sir Arthur Loftus of Rathfarnham, County Dublin and his wife, Lady Dorothy Boyle, daughter of the 1st Earl of Cork. A member of the Privy Council of Ireland and Ranger of Phoenix Park, Loftus was created Baron Rathfarnham and Viscount Lisburne in 1686 by King James II. Little is known about Lady Lisburne's life, however she was clearly considered a celebrated beauty as a number of versions of this portrait exist. The prime portrait by Lely was in the celebrated collection of Robert Walpole, 1st Earl of Orford (1676–1745) at Houghton Hall in Norfolk.