CIRCLE OF ALONSO SÁNCHEZ COELLO | Portrait of an elegant lady, bust length

Count Gerard Joseph Emile D'Aquin (b. 1865), buyer for William Randolph Hearst;
Thence by descent in his family;
By whom sold, New York, Christie’s, 26 January 2012, lot 284;
There acquired.

The copper support is flat and stable. The painting reads well and presents a striking image beneath an old varnish. Details within the image appear well-preserved to the naked eye, for example in her face, the detailed lacework of the collar and the jeweled details of her costume. There are some small spots of loss concentrated near the extreme edges, for small pin dots of loss at lower left corner and center of lower edge. Inspection under raking late reveals a few thin and fine scratches in the lower costume that are not distracting. Some small very spots of retouching are visible to the naked eye, for example, two spots in her collar as well as one in the extreme lower right corner. Inspection under UV reveals a milky varnish, and though it is difficult to read through in areas, the UV reveals the aforementioned spots of retouching as well as some likely retouching to the darks of the upper background. Additional inspection under UV is impeded by the varnish. The painting is offered in a decoratively carved giltwood frame with a green velvet liner.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.