DOMENICUS VAN TOL | Portrait of a gentleman, half-length, wearing a black hat and coat, holding a pair of gloves

Possibly Richard Neall, Aldwick Bay, Sussex;
Anonymous sale ('The Property of a Gentleman'), London, Christie’s, 29 November 1957, lot 45, for £95 to Butôt;
F.C. Butôt (1906–92), Sankt Gilgen, Austria, 1957;
Thence by descent.

Salzburg, Museumpavillon im Mirabellgarten, 12 July – 12 September 1972; Münster, Westfälisches Landesmuseum, 26 September 1972 – 14 January 1973, Niederländische Kunst aus dem Goldenen Jahrhundert;
Rotterdam, Museum Boymans-van Beuningen, Hollandse en Vlaamse Kunst uit de 17^e eeuw, 16 February – 1 April 1973.

Niederländisches Kunst aus dem Goldenen Jahrhundert--Gemälde und Zeichnungen im Umkreis grosser Meister aus der Sammlung F.C. Butôt, exhib. cat., Salzburg 1972, pp. 146–47, reproduced;
Hollandse en Vlaamse kunst uit de 17e eeuw: hoogtepunten van minder bekende meesters: schilderijen en tekeningen uit de verzameling F.C. Butôt, exhib. cat., Rotterdam 1973, pp. 150–51, reproduced;
L.J. Bol & G. Keyes, Netherlandish Paintings and Drawings from the Collection of F.C. Butôt, London 1981, p. 256, cat. no. 111, reproduced.

The copper plate is flat and stable. The paint surface is relatively clean, and the rather thick varnish is slightly discoloured. Some pin-prick retouchings are visible to the naked eye: a couple in the left-hand side of the man's face, and in the background to the left. These are confirmed by inspection under ultraviolet light, which is otherwise impeded by the opaque varnish. There appear to be some minor strengthenings in the man's hat, and possibly some further retouchings in the right-hand margin. In overall 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."

The Leiden fijnschilder Domenicus van Tol was the nephew and pupil of Gerrit Dou, in whose manner he painted domestic genre interiors. In this rare and softly-modelled portrait he shows a greater degree of independence from Dou.