- 311
John Alexander
Estimate
3,000 - 5,000 GBP
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Description
- John Alexander
- Portrait of John Belsches of Invermay (1710-53), half-length, wearing blue, with his left hand inside his coat
- inscribed on the reverse: John Belsches/ of Invermay/ ob Dec 1777
- oil on canvas, unlined
Literature
List of Portraits at Fettercairn House, 1924, p. 12 (Long Passage).
Condition
John Belsches: the canvas is unlined, and there are two small holes in the canvas, with losses around them, above the sitter's head (visible in the catalogue illustration). There are scattered losses along the left margin (also visible in the catalogue illustration). Inspection under ultraviolet light reveals scattered, pinprick retouchings in the sitter's forehead and below his eyes, to reduce the appearance of craquelure, but little other significant intervention. Offered in a carved and gilt wood frame in fair condition.
Mrs Belsches: The canvas has a firm relining, the paint surface is dirty and the varnish is discoloured. An area of discoloured retouching is visible in the sitter's left cheek. Inspection under ultraviolet light is impeded by an opaque, milky varnish, but reveals the aforementioned retouching, as well as scattered retouchings in the background, around the sitter's silhouette, and in her chest. In overall good condition.
"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."
"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
Sold together with an 18th-century portrait of the Scottish School, of Mrs Belsches of Invermay; oil on canvas; 77.5 x 64 cm.; 30 1/ x 25 1/8 in.; and recorded in the List of Portraits at Fettercairn House, 1924, p. 11 (as 'in style of Scougall'; Long Passage).
There is a list of items acquired at auction from the Belshes [sic] of Invermay sale on 20 April 1864. Sir John Stuart Hepburn Forbes acquired 396 books there, and it is possible he acquired portraits of the Invermay Belsches at this time, NLS (Acc.4796/197).