Nicolas de Largillièrre

Georges Krakau;
His deceased sale, Berlin, Lepke Galleries, 12 November 1918, lot 49 (as a portrait of Mme de Motteville);
David Kamarski, New York by 1959;
With Roger Draper, Mirrell Gallery, Miami, circa 1960;
Anonymous sale, New York, Sotheby Parke-Bernet, 2 December 1976, lot 66;
Donald A. Kullman, West Hollywood, Florida, by 1977;
Anonymous sale, London, Sotheby's, 6 July 1994, lot 139, for £10,000.

P. Rosenberg and M.C. Stewart in French Paintings 1500-1825, exh. cat., Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco, 1987, p. 221, reproduced fig. 1.

The painting is more muted in tonality than the catalogue illustration would suggest. The canvas appears to be unlined and the paint surface looks to be in good condition, if a little thin in places, such as the sitter's outstretched arm. There is also evidence of an uneven varnish. Inspection under ultraviolet light confirms this and reveals retouching to the darker background pigments, in the upper left hand quadrant and to a lesser extent in the lower right hand quadrant. Likewise there is minor old retouching to the areas of shadow in the sitter's face and hair. Her costume appears for the most part to be untouched, however retouching is discernible all along the lower canvas edge. Overall the painting appears to be in good stable condition. Offered in an ornate gilt wood and plaster 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."

Datable 1690-70, the sitter has traditionally been identified as Madame de Motteville, lady-in-waiting to Anne of Austria. A smaller autograph version (65 by 53.5 cm) is in the California Palace of the Legion of Honour, San Francisco (inv. 1950.1).