Cornelius Johnson

STRUCTURE The canvas has been lined. PAINT SURFACE The painting appears to be in very good overall condition. There is a minor abrasion in the upper centre above the sitter's head and there appears to be old retouching to two vertical stretcher bar marks runiing parallel from the rop of the canvas to the centre. There is also a little scattered surface dirt to the right of sitter, a very fine craquelure to the sitter's face and a thick discoloured varnish overall. ULTRAVIOLET Examination under ultraviolet light confirms the opacity of the varnish. There appears to be some old minor scattered retouching to the areas mentioned above, as well some areas of retouching to the inside lip of the painted cartouche. The thickness of the varnish makes it difficult to determine much else. FRAME Held in a carved and painted wood frame. To speak to a specialist about this lot please contact Julian Gascoigne on +44 (0)207 293 5482, or at julian.gascoigne@sothebys.com, or Ludo Shaw Stewart on +44 (0)207 293 5816, or at ludovic.shawstewart@sothebys.com.
"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 sitter was the elder son of Thomas, Lord Bruce, 1st Earl of Elgin and his wife Anne, daughter of Sir Robert Chichester. In 1646 he married Lady Diana Grey, daughter of the 1st Earl of Stamford, and in 1663 succeeded his father as 2nd Earl of Elgin. The following year he was given the additional English title of Earl of Ailesbury by Charles II. He was later made Lord Chamberlain to James II, dying the year of the Glorious Revolution.