- 728
Gerrit van Honthorst
Estimate
8,000 - 12,000 GBP
Log in to view results
bidding is closed
Description
- Gerrit van Honthorst
- Portrait of a gentleman, head and shoulders, with a grey sash around his armour
- signed and dated lower left: G. Honthorst: 1637 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 82, for £31.10s, to Storm;
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 82, for £31.10s, to Storm;
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. 474;
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
This signed work is relined and thus the paint layer is slightly pressed. There is craquelure throughout and the paint surface is slightly uneven under raking light, posably due to the relining process.
There is inverted L-shape old tear in the canvas, measuring 4 cm, on the chest of the sitter. This has been repaired and stabilised with a wooden stent attached to the back of the relining. There is another tiny tear in the lower left corner, measuring 2 cm vertically, this has also been repaired. An old hole by the upper right edge has been completely overpainted and is barely visible.
Although the background and hair the paint surface are worn slightly, details like the lace collar and the reflection in the fabric still retain a thick paint layer, to good effect.
Inspection under UV light reveals infilling of craquelure, the repair of both tears and also a tiny repair in the right of the man's collar.
This lot is offered in a gilt frame with decorative mouldings, matching that of lots 725- 727.
"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."