Attributed to Johannes Priwitzer

By descent to Robert D’Arcy, 4th Earl of Holdernesse (1718–1778), Hornby Castle, Yorkshire;
Thence to his son-in-law Francis Osborne, 5th Duke of Leeds;
Thence by descent to 10th Duke of Leeds Will Trust at Hornby Castle;
With The Weiss Gallery, London, 2001;
Private Collection.

Hornby Castle: Catalogue of Pictures, 1898, p. 12, no. 128 (as a portrait of his father Sir Conyers Darcy (1570–1654)).
Historical and Descriptive Catalogue of Pictures belonging to His Grace the Duke of Leeds, 1902, p. 48, no. 128;
The Weiss Gallery, A Noble Visage; Early Portraiture 1545–1660, London 2001, no. 20.

The panel is cradled, flat and stable. The paint surface is clean and the varnish is relatively clear and even. Inspection under ultraviolet light reveals tiny spot retouchings in the sitter's hair and in his jawline. There is also a line of retouching along the top of his lace collar. There are small spot retouchings throughout the background, most concentrated in the area just to the right of the sitter's left shoulder. There are also minor retouchings in the sitter's costume, and in the shadowy area by his left arm. In overall good condition. Offered in a silver gilt frame with a few minor knocks.
"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."

Conyers D’Arcy was the eldest son of Lord Conyers and his wife Dorothy, daughter of Sir Henry Belayse, Bt. of Newborough. Born at Kirby in Yorkshire, in 1616 he married Grace, only daughter and heir of Thomas Rokeby of Skiers. At the outbreak of the Civil War Lord D’Arcy became a colonel of a regiment of Foot, raised at Hornby by his father. He commanded the regiment at the storming of Burton-on-Trent, where he was severely wounded and crippled. From 1660 to 1671 he was Constable of Middleham Castle and from 1661 to 1679/80 he was summoned to Parliament as Lord D’Arcy of Knayth, later being elevated to the Earldom of Holdernesse in 1682.

The handling can be compared to that in the group of portraits of members o the Russell family at Woburn Abbey, one of which is signed and dated Johannes Priwitzer de Hungaria 1627. Priwitzer is documented as being in London between 1627 and 1635, and Horace Walpole observed in his Anecdotes of Painting in England (1762) that he ‘painted with great brightness and neatness, and does not want freedom.’