After Gerrit van Honthorst

Three-quarter length, in a landscape, holding a doves nest, wearing an orange hat and cloak

Certainly in the collection of John William Robert Kerr, 7th Marquess of Lothian (1794–1841), by 1833, when recorded in the inventory;
Thence by descent.

Newbattle Abbey inventory, March 1833, no. 169;
Newbattle Abbey inventory, May 1878, no. 169 (as 'Mrs Woffington', Chinese Passage);
Monteviot House inventory, 14 July 1989, no. 169 (as by Gerrit van Honthorst, North East Stairs);
R. Wenley, The Lothian Picture Collection: History and Context, M.Litt. diss., University of St Andrews, 1990, p. 67 ('Miss Croft').

The canvas has a very firm relining, the paint surface is dirty, and the varnish is uneven and blanched (visible on the left-hand side in the catalogue illustration). There is a vertical line of discoloured retouching along a stretcher mark on the left-hand side (visible in the catalogue illustration). There is also a small loss just upper left of the doves, and in the lower right corner. Inspection under ultraviolet light reveals scattered small areas of retouching: in the sitter's hat, to the right of her neck, in her chest and in a handful of areas in the background. In overall good condition, which would benefit hugely from cleaning. Offered in a modern, painted 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."

A derivation, probably 18th century in date, with variations in the costume, after the right-hand figure in Honthorst's painting of Two Shepherdesses, of current unknown whereabouts.¹ The inscription 'Miss Crofts' is a later addition, possibly intended to associate the painting with Cecilia Crofts, wife of Sir Thomas Killigrew, portrayed by Van Dyck in a portrait of circa 1638.² This identification and that of 'Mrs Woffington' (recorded in the 1878 Newbattle Abbey inventory, presumably referring to the Irish actress Margaret 'Peg' Woffington (1720-60)), have no connection with the figure depicted here. 

1. 109.2 x 89 cm.; see J.R. Judson and R.E.O. Ekkart, Gerrit van Honthorst 1592-1656, Doornspijk 1999, p. 167, cat. no. 201, reproduced plate 105.
2. See O. Millar, S. Barnes, et. al., Van Dyck; A complete catalogue of the paintings, New Haven and London 2004, pp. 541-42, cat. no. IV.145, reproduced.