Lot 160
  • 160

Studio of Sir Peter Lely

Estimate
10,000 - 15,000 GBP
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Description

  • Studio of Sir Peter Lely
  • Portrait of Mary, Countess of Orrery (1648-1710)
  • inscribed upper right: Lady Mary Broghill.1661./ afterwards Countess of ORRERY.
  • oil on canvas

Provenance

By descent from the sitter to Charles Boyle, 10th Earl of Cork and Orrery (1861-1925), Marston House, Frome, Somerset;
His sale ('The Property of the Right Hon. The Earl of Cork and Orrery, removed from Marston, Frome'), London, Christie's, 25 November 1905, lot 60, for £141.15.0 to Agnew;
With Thomas Agnew & Sons, Exchange Art Gallery, Liverpool;
By whom sold, for £200 on 2nd October 1907, to the grandfather of the present owner.

Condition

In overall good condition. The canvas is lined, the paint surface is relatively clean and the varnish is even but slightly matte. A network of craquelure has developed and has been retouched - this is most visible through the sitter’s dress, chest and arms. Inspection under ultraviolet light reveals areas of retouching in the upper left corner, upper left and right of the sitter’s head, and below the fountain, lower left, as well as through the aforementioned craquelure. There are some tiny retouchings around the sitter’s eyes, and a lock of her hair has been strengthened. The light also reveals retouching to disguise an extensive inscription upper right.
"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."

Catalogue Note

Mary, Countess of Orrery, née Sackville, was the daughter of Richard Sackville, 5th Earl of Dorset and Frances Cranfield. In 1664 she married Roger Boyle, 2nd Earl of Orrery (styled Lord Broghill between 1660 and 1679) son of Roger Boyle, 1st Earl of Orrery and Lady Margaret Howard.

Another studio version of the present portrait of similar dimensions is recorded at the Heinz Archive, London, in the collection of Lord Barnard at Raby Castle, County Durham. There is no known prime version.