Cornelis van der Voort

Jacques Swaters;
His sale, Brussels, Galerie Georges Giroux, 13 February 1928, lot 23 (as by Jan Anthonisz. van Ravesteyn);
Anonymous sale, Brussels, Paleis voor Schone Kunsten, 26 October 1983, lot 246 (as Jan Anthonisz. van Ravesteyn);
Anonymous sale, London, Christie's, 6 April 1984, lot 3 (as Jan Anthonisz. van Ravesteyn);
With Lane Fine Art, London;
From whom purchased by Elly and Jock Elliott in June, 1984;
By whose Estates sold, New York, Sotheby's, 8 June 2007, lot 204 (as Cornelis van der Voort);
Where acquired by the present collector.

The painting appears to have been recently conserved, presenting a crisp and fresh image beneath a clean varnish. It requires no further attention and is ready to hang. Panel appears to be made from four vertical boards, and panel is flat, stable, and cradled on the reverse. Inspection under UV reveals fine lines of retouching to some of the panel joins, including through the left of the sitter's face, and some finely scattered retouching surrounding it in the ruff. There are fine lines of retouching and strengthening through both hands and the glove, and further scattered minor retouches here and there throughout the costume. None of these restorations are distracting, as very few are perceptible to the naked eye. Offered in a carved gilt wood 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.

At the time of the 2007 sale (see Provenance), Rudi Ekkart of the RKD-Netherlands Institute for Art History, The Hague, identified this portrait to be a work by Cornelis van der Voort, based on photographs.  He compared it to another work by van der Voort, Portrait of Josina van Teylingen of 1616, formerly in the collection of the Instituut Collectie Nederland and restituted to the Goudstikker heirs (see RKD images record no. 10717).¹

1.  Sold with its pendant, London, Christie's, 5 July 2007, lot 10.