Circle of Diego Rodríguez de Silva y Velásquez

Joseph Neeld (1789–1856), Grittleton Manor, Chippenham, Wiltshire;

By descent to his brother Sir John Neeld, 1st. Bt. (1805-1891);

Thence by descent to Sir Audley Dallas Neeld, 3rd Bt. (1849-1941);

Until sold by order of his Executors, London, Christie's, 13 July 1945, lot unspecified, for 2,800 guineas (as Velásquez according to an old newpaper clipping);

English private collection;

Thence by descent to the present owner.

London, Royal Academy of Arts, 1878, no. 130 (as Velásquez).

G.F. Waagen. Treasures of Art in Great Britain, London 1854, vol. II, 245 (where listed but not attributed).

The painting is less red than the catalogue illustration suggests. The unframed canvas has quite a tight relining, probably from the second half of the 20th century. Under the yellowed varnish the paint surface appears dirty but secure, though somewhat flattened by the relining. The paint appears sunken in the darker tones, for example in the sitter's bust where the ground layer is visible in areas. Soem discoloured retouchings on top of the milky varnish can be made out with the naked eye, for example along the left and lower edges. Inspection under UV light reveals an older campaign of retouching under the varnish. The whites of the collar and letter, as well as the face and hands are in a better state of conservation.
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