- 479
Follower of Sir Anthony van Dyck
Estimate
6,000 - 8,000 GBP
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Description
- Anthony van Dyck
- Portrait of Margaret Lemon
- inscribed with the identity of the sitter lower left, and traces of another inscription upper left
inscribed with inventory number lower left: 24 - oil on canvas, in a Sunderland carved wood frame
- 41½in by 32¼in
Half length, wearing red robes
Provenance
Probably William Kerr, 3rd Earl of Lothian (1605-75);
Certainly in the collection of William John Kerr, 5th Marquess of Lothian (1737-1815), by 1775, when recorded in the inventory;
Thence by descent.
Certainly in the collection of William John Kerr, 5th Marquess of Lothian (1737-1815), by 1775, when recorded in the inventory;
Thence by descent.
Literature
Newbattle Abbey inventory, c. 1775 (as 'a Copy from Van Dyck');
Newbattle Abbey inventory, c. 1788 (Drawing Room);
Newbattle Abbey inventory, 10 March 1798 (Drawing Room);
Newbattle Abbey inventory, March 1833, no. 24;
Newbattle Abbey inventory, May 1878, no. 24 (Organ Hall);
Newbattle Abbey inventory, December 1901, p. 76 (Upper & Organ Halls);
O. Millar, The Tudor, Stuart and Early Georgian Pictures in the collection of Her Majesty the Queen, London 1963, text volume, p. 101, under cat. no. 157 (listed as a copy);
Monteviot House inventory, 14 July 1989, no. 24 (as 'v. Dyck/Lely', Gallery);
O. Millar, S. Barnes, et. al., Van Dyck; A complete catalogue of the paintings, New Haven and London 2004, p. 552, under cat. no. IV.157 (listed as a copy).
Newbattle Abbey inventory, c. 1788 (Drawing Room);
Newbattle Abbey inventory, 10 March 1798 (Drawing Room);
Newbattle Abbey inventory, March 1833, no. 24;
Newbattle Abbey inventory, May 1878, no. 24 (Organ Hall);
Newbattle Abbey inventory, December 1901, p. 76 (Upper & Organ Halls);
O. Millar, The Tudor, Stuart and Early Georgian Pictures in the collection of Her Majesty the Queen, London 1963, text volume, p. 101, under cat. no. 157 (listed as a copy);
Monteviot House inventory, 14 July 1989, no. 24 (as 'v. Dyck/Lely', Gallery);
O. Millar, S. Barnes, et. al., Van Dyck; A complete catalogue of the paintings, New Haven and London 2004, p. 552, under cat. no. IV.157 (listed as a copy).
Condition
The painting has an old relining, dirty paint surface and discoloured varnish. There are minor scattered retouchings visible next to the sitter's head and in the inscription, upper left, which has been painted out. Inspection under ultraviolet light is impeded by the varnish, but a certain degree of old restoration should be allowed for. The painting appears to be in very good overall 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
A copy after the unfinished original portrait by Van Dyck, of circa 1638, in The Royal Collection.1 Margaret Lemon was Van Dyck's mistress in London, and is traditionally believed, according to the account of Van Dyck's contemporary Wenceslaus Hollar, to have attempted to injure the artist's right hand by biting his thumb off in her fury upon learning of his marriage to Lady Mary Ruthven in 1639.
1. Inv. no. RCIN 402531; see Millar, Barnes, et. al., 2004, p. 552, cat. no. IV.157, reproduced in colour.