Ferdinand Voet

Mrs. Reginald de Koven (1862-1953), New York;
Frances Leventritt, New York, thence by descent to the current owner.

F. Petrucci, "Arricia. Palazzo Chigi," in I Musei della Provincia di Roma. Percorsi d'arte e di storia, exhibition catalogue, 2001, p. 62, reproduced fig. 9b;
F. Petrucci, Ferdinand Voet (1639-1689) detto Ferdinando de' Ritratti, 2005, p. 176. no. 92.

The canvas appears to be lined and is stable on its stretcher. The painting presents a strong and attractive image and the details of the figure are well preserved, particularly in her elaborate costume. There is a small spot of paint loss in the upper right corner, and a very small raised spot to the canvas in the lower left corner. A faint horizontal scratch to the varnish appears in the background above sitter's head. There are some fine spots of retouching to the figure's face and chest as well as to the background, some of which have faintly discolored and are visible to the naked eye, but are in no way distracting to the overall image. Inspection under UV light reveals some fine lines and spots of retouching to the aforementioned areas in the figure's face, chest, and in the background, and it also reveals some more concentrated areas of older retouching at the extreme edges. There are some additional fine lines scattered here and there in the darks of her hair, and a few small spots in the whites of her sleeves. The painting can hang in its present state. Offered in a decoratively carved giltwood frame.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

This charming portrait depicts Laura Chigi, the first child of Prince Agostino Chigi and his wife Maria Virginia Borghese, at about fifteen years of age.   Of Sienese origin, the Chigi had become a powerful family in Rome during the Renaissance, and by the 17^th Century were major landholders in southern Tuscany and in Lazio.  From 1661, they became the lords of the town of Ariccia.

Laura Chigi was born in Rome in 1659, during the papacy of her great-uncle, Pope Alexander VII.  The present portrait shows the teenager in a dress in the French fashion, but with her hair in a more informal and youthful hairstyle than was then in fashion for older women.  The portrait must date to before early 1675, when Laura took the veil, entering the Dominican convent of Santi Domenico e Sisto a Montemagnanapoli in Rome.  She continued to play a part in aristocratic life in the city, and was even honored with the dedication of a play by the poet Giuseppe Berneri.