Michiel Jansz. van Mierevelt and Studio

Anonymous sale, Madrid, Duran, 26 December 1979, lot 82, where bought by the present owner.

The panel is flat and uncradled, and composed of three horizontal planks. The surface is relatively clean and the varnish is slightly discoloured. Under ultra violet inspection there is an even milky varnish. There is some old restoration along the joint at the top of the panel. There is some minor scattered retouching in the background and to the face of the sitter. There is also some more substantial restoration to the sitter's dress. There is a 10 cm long vertical restoration in the upper left and a longer more substantial area of restoration on the right hand side which runs from the bottom of the panel to 5 cm below the top of the panel. There is also restoration to all four margins. The work is offered in a carved and 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. 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."

Edward Cecil was the son of Thomas Cecil, 1st Earl of Exeter, and his first wife Dorothy, second daughter of John Nevill, 4th Lord Latimer. A military and naval commander, he served under Elizabeth I, James I and Charles I, taking part in expeditions to Brabant, Emden and Grave, and continuing to command English troops in Holland in 1621. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth in 1601, appointed Lord Marshal of the Sea and Land Forces by the Duke of Buckingham in 1625, and was created Viscount Wimbledon in 1626. 

Mierevelt painted Cecil's portrait a number of times, and this particular type at least twice; the dated prototype of 1631 is that in the National Portrait Gallery, London.²

We are grateful to Anita Jansen for endorsing the attribution to Mierevelt and studio on the basis of first-hand inspection of the painting.

1. Inv. no. NPG 4514; see, D. Saywell and J. Simon, Complete Illustrated Catalogue. National Portrait Gallery, London 2004, p. 669, reproduced. The other autograph version is in the National Army Museum, London, inv. no. NAM. 1973-05-44-1.