Lot 37
  • 37

Workshop of Juan Pantoja de la Cruz

Estimate
12,000 - 18,000 GBP
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Description

  • Juan Pantoja de la Cruz
  • Portrait of Margaret of Austria, Queen of Spain (1584 - 1611)
  • inscribed and dated upper left: obiit. 1611./ Ætat. fuce An. XXVII./ MARGARETHA. VII.a AVSTRIACA Hispan./ Regina, PHilip. III.ÿ Hilp: Regis Coniunx./ 1618.
  • oil on canvas
  • 201.5 x 114.3 cm.; 79 3/8  x 45 in.

Provenance

Presented to the grandfather of the present owner by Frederick Augustus III, last King of Saxony (1865-1932), as payment in the early 1920s.

Condition

The canvas is lined, the paint surface is dirty and the varnish is quite streaky. There are areas of visible retouching, most notably along what appears to be an old fold line which runs the width of the canvas, cutting across the the Queen's proper right right and proper left forearm, as well as some small spots in her face. Another horizontal fold line is visible running across her chest, as well as a faint horizontal stretcher mark cutting across the centre of the canvas. Inspection under ultraviolet light reveals a thick milky varnish underneath which the aforementioned retouchings are visible, as well as some spots in her left hand, and scattered throughout her gown. In overall fair 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."

Catalogue Note

Juan Pantoja de la Cruz painted various portraits of Margaret of Austria; the present work appears to be a full-length, workshop variant of the artist's three-quarter length portrait in the Museo del Prado, Madrid.1 1. Inv. no. P01032; see M. Kusche, Juan Pantoja de la Cruz, Madrid 2007, p. 130, reproduced in colour p. 131, fig. 84.