Willem Key

Both panels are made up of two vertical boards, which are flat and unbeveled and have been thinned slightly and cradled on the reverse. Their paint surfaces appear to be stable beneath a rather thick, old varnish. Portrait of a Lady: There is a minor vertical crack with a few losses along it running from the lower edge at the left side toward the sleeve and another, with fewer paint losses, running form the upper edge, both visible in the catalogue image. There is a loss of approximately 1 by 1/4 in. to the left edge. Inspection under UV is impeded somewhat by the varnish though there are minor retouched losses scattered here and there, notably in the face and the sitter's left sleeve and concentrated at the edges of the panel. Portrait of a gentleman: There is a vertical split running the length of the panel at the center. A reading under UV is again impeded by the milky varnish though occasional retouches are detectable in the beard and attending to the lower part of the crack. Both panels would benefit from a light clean and revarnish. Offered unframed.
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.

While the sitters have not yet been identified, the lengths of heavy gold chains looped around the necks of this lady and gentleman suggest they were a couple of some material wealth. They can be closely compared on stylistic grounds to a pair of three-quarter length pendant portraits in the Gemäldegalerie der Akademie der bildenden Künst, Vienna (inv. nos. 566 and 567), which date to 1564.  The lady in the Vienna portrait wears a remarkably similar pair of fine, transparent oversleeves, gathered at the wrists with gold bracelets.  In the present portrait of the lady, however, the white silk sleeves beneath are decorated with elaborate blackwork embroidery, as is the under layer of her starched cap.  Dr. Koenraad de Jonckheere considers the Vienna portraits to have been painted in collaboration with the artist's pupil, Adriaen Thomansz. Key, which may also have been the case for the present panels.¹

We are grateful to Dr. Koenraad de Jonckheere and Dr. Till-Holger Borchert for their assistance in the cataloguing of this lot. 

1. K. Jonckheere, Willem Key (1516-1568), Portrait of a Humanist Painter, Turnhout 2011, p. 93, cat. nos. A30-A31, reproduced.