Circle of George Gower

With The Arcade Gallery, London, by 1947.

London, Arcade Gallery, Elizabethan Portraits, 19 March - 19 April, no. 13.

This lot is made up of three vertical panels, the outer two measuring approximately 8 cm and the centre panel 26.4 cm. the panels are roughly scraped in areas and there is some old glue escaping from the lower right joint.The overall panel area is slightly convex. The paint surface is in stable condition, with bright colours, the flush in the man's cheeks and the contours of the ruff, and detail in the buttons still strong. Inspection under UV light reveals extensive retouching to the darker areas on the left hand side and lower right, patches of retouching in the ruff and face. This lot is offered in a wood frame, painted bands of gold, white and gold,. It is old with a few tiny chips, but structurally sound.
"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."

A courtier and diplomat, Sir Henry Neville was appointed ambassador to the court of Henri IV of France in 1599.  As a young man he had travelled extensively on the continent with his tutor Henry Saville, later Warden of Merton College, Oxford, and he has been proposed by some modern historians as an alternative source of authorship for the works of William Shakespeare.