Circle of Adriaen Thomasz. Key

Denis de Péage collection (their label and coat-of-arms on the reverse).

This single panel is flat. It is cradled and stabilised. On the painted side, two splits have affected the paint surface. The right hand side split is also visible from the back. Both fractures in the panel have been repaired, but the overpainting of the right hand fracture is beginning to flake slightly with age. Otherwise the repair was carried out well and the splits can only be detected as changes in the surface under raking light. There is frame rubbing along all four edges, in some cases taking the paint layer back to the ground, but these are all only visible when the work is unframed. There is faint craquelure on the lady's face and some wearing of the more delicate glazes of her headdress in the the parts painted directly onto the burgundy background. However, the detail of her sleeve, her jewellery, and the gentle pentimenti beneath her fingers are all beautifully preserved.The glazes in the fleshtones of her face are notably delicate, especially in the modelling around her eyes and nose. There is also some wear to the lady's black bodice on the left side and a number of faint surface scratches across the bodice as well. These are not disruptive to the overall effect of the elegant colour combination and strong pose of the sitter. Inspection under UV light reveals restoration to the two splits in the wood panel mentioned above and to another very fine split alongside the larger one on the right hand side. There is a 2cm long retoyhing at the centre of her forehead and some tiny dots on her nose and lore face. Restoration to a few short scratches on her fingers, a thin horizontal scratch (5cm) behind her head and scattered dots of retouching throughout the background. Two larger areas of retouching are the lower left corner and to areas damaged by frame rubbing. The varnish appears mottled under UV light and must be very old. This lot is offered in a wood frame painted black with gold embellishments, in fine 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."