SOUTH GERMAN SCHOOL, 16TH CENTURY | Portrait of a man, bust length, holding a glove in his right hand

Emil Goldschmidt, Frankfurt am Main;
By whose descendants sold ("Gemälde alter Meister: Sammlung aus dem Nachlass Emil Goldschmidt, Frankfurt a. M."), Berlin, Lepke, 27 April 1909, lot 77 (as 'German master. 1517');
Anonymous sale, London, Sotheby's, 24 June 1964, lot 102 (as South-Austrian school, 16th Century and dated 1517);
With Galerie Pardo, Paris, 1977.

The actual painting is warmer in tone and shows more contrast than the catalogue illustration would suggest. The painting is on a piece of panel - painted on the reverse with an elaborate coat-of-arms - which is either one plank with an old crack on its reverse or alternatively, it consists of two vertical planks joined together. A few minor vertical cracks can be seen on the reverse, in the center part of the panel, another minor crack running along the left edge, and some indents and superficial damages on the reverse are visible. We notice some paint losses along the top and lower edges due to the framing. The painted surface seems to be in a good condition with some minor thinness in the hair and in the black clothing of the figure. Some parts of the painting are covered with a very fine craquelure pattern. The painted surface is covered with a dirty and discolored varnish layer. Some discolored retouchings can be observed in the sky around the figure. Under the UV light The varnish layer fluoresces for a larger part. Some strenghtenings are visible in the beret, in his black costume and few in his hands. Offered with an Italian style carved and giltwood 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 lower part of the coat-of-arms painted on the reverse of this intriguing portrait, showing a crown on a blue background, are those of the Schärffenberg-family of Styria. They were created Counts of the Holy Roman Empire on the 18th of February 1717 and their branch became extinct on the 15th of September 1817 (for a reference see J.B. Rietstap, Armorial général illustré, Lyon 1969, vol. II, p. 687).   We are grateful to Don Victor Franco de Baux for his help in identifying this part of the coat-of-arms.