- 185
Circle of Robert Peake the Elder
Estimate
40,000 - 60,000 GBP
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Description
- Circle of Robert Peake the Elder
- Portrait of a lady, said to be Mary Queen of Scots (1542–87)
- oil on panel, in a painted oval
Provenance
Possibly acquired by George Keith Elphinstone, Viscount Keith (1746–1823) to hang at Tullialan Castle, Perthshire;
Margaret, Baroness Keith and Nairne (1788–1867), his daughter and wife of Auguste Count de Flahault de la Billardrie;
Emily, Baroness Nairne, her daughter, who married Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice, 4th Marquess of Lansdowne in 1843;
By descent until sold, London, Sotheby's, 7 July 2011, lot 142, where acquired by the current owner.
Margaret, Baroness Keith and Nairne (1788–1867), his daughter and wife of Auguste Count de Flahault de la Billardrie;
Emily, Baroness Nairne, her daughter, who married Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice, 4th Marquess of Lansdowne in 1843;
By descent until sold, London, Sotheby's, 7 July 2011, lot 142, where acquired by the current owner.
Condition
The panel is stable and flat. There are three old vertical splits or joins, which run the height of the panel, two of which are held by battens inset into the reverse; a further irregular, 30 cm. old split runs down from the top edge, 5 cm. from the left-hand side. Inspection under ultraviolet light reveals restoration to these splits and joins, which has discoloured in parts. There has also been some strengthening to her cheek, chin, left hand, to the shadows of her ruff and on her left cuff. The great majority of the details of the costume are beautifully preserved with much of the original impasto intact. In overall fair condition.
Offered in a modern parcel gilt and ebonised frame in 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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
This beautiful portrait dates from circa 1619. According to old labels on the reverse, it hung at Tullialan Castle in Perthshire, built in c. 1812–20 by Admiral Lord Keith. His granddaughter Emily married Henry, 4th Marquess of Lansdowne and the portrait was subsequently moved to their Scottish seat, Meikleour House, which was remodelled by Bryce in 1870. The thoughtful and contemplative pose of the sitter recalls the popular Elizabethan and Jacobean fashion for melancholy, sometimes referred to as Penseroso.