- 726
Gerrit van Honthorst
Estimate
8,000 - 12,000 GBP
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Description
- Gerrit van Honthorst
- Portrait of a gentleman, head and shoulders, with a gold sash around his armour
- signed and dated centre left: GHonthorst 1638 (GH in ligature) and inscribed by a later hand lower right: G.Honthorst
- oil on canvas, in a feigned sculpted oval, in an English giltwood frame
Provenance
4th Earl of Romney (1841-1905), The Mote, Kent, 1872;
Acquired by Marcus Samuel, later 1st Viscount Bearsted (1853-1927), The Mote, in 1895;
His deceased sale, London, Christie's, 13 december 1929, lot 80, for £48.6s, to Hespano;
Presumably bought back by his daughter The Hon. Mrs. Nellie Ionides and thence by descent to her grandson, the current owner from 1968, until the present day at Court House, Hampton Court, formerly the home of Sir Christopher Wren.
Acquired by Marcus Samuel, later 1st Viscount Bearsted (1853-1927), The Mote, in 1895;
His deceased sale, London, Christie's, 13 december 1929, lot 80, for £48.6s, to Hespano;
Presumably bought back by his daughter The Hon. Mrs. Nellie Ionides and thence by descent to her grandson, the current owner from 1968, until the present day at Court House, Hampton Court, formerly the home of Sir Christopher Wren.
Literature
J.R. Judson and R.E.O. Ekkart, Gerrit van Honthorst, Doornspijk 1999, p. 315, cat. no. 478;
J. L-M, Upton House, The Bearsted Collection: Pictures, London 1964, p. 41, cat. no. 137.
J. L-M, Upton House, The Bearsted Collection: Pictures, London 1964, p. 41, cat. no. 137.
Condition
The canvas is relined and therefore the paint surface is slightly pressed. There are two tiny flakes of missing paint along the left edge and an uneven surface along the upper edge, probably due to the relining, but only visible under raking light. Some spot retouchings have discoloured slightly in the sitter's cheek and his hair has sunk into the canvas and lost some definition. The sitter's expression, with his sunken eyes, frowned brow and pursed lips, remains fresh and captivating.
Inspection under UV light reveals very old spot retouchings applied to the cheek and collar, and some scattered retouchings throughout the background.
This lot is offered in a gilt frame, with decorative moudlings, with a few old knocks and structurally sound. It matches those of lots 725, 727 and 728.
"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."
"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."