The Rafael Valls Sale, Part II
The Rafael Valls Sale, Part II
Circle of Paul van Somer
Portrait of a young lady, half-length, in a pink silk dress and a bejewelled lace collar, holding a lace handkerchief and an ostrich feather fan
Lot Closed
December 16, 02:01 PM GMT
Estimate
6,000 - 8,000 GBP
Lot Details
Description
Circle of Paul van Somer
Portrait of a young lady, half-length, in a pink silk dress and a bejewelled lace collar, holding a lace handkerchief and an ostrich feather fan
oil on canvas
unframed: 65.2 x 50.2 cm.; 25⅝ x 19¾ in.;
framed: 77.8 x 62. 7 cm.; 30⅝ x 24¾ in.
Private collection, UK;
Anonymous sale, London, Bonham's, 3 July 2013, lot 66, for £31,250.
The striking costume worn by this young woman, traditionally identified as Arabella Stuart, can be compared with a portrait of Anne of Denmark by Paul van Somer in the Royal Collection.1 In the portrait of the Queen, she hangs a monogram jewel, 'S', on the right side of her stiff lace collar. This is thought to allude to her mother, Sophie of Mecklenburg. On the other side, she wears a crowned monogram pendant, 'C4', referring to her beloved brother, Christian IV, King of Denmark. The sitter in this portrait closely follows this Jacobean court fashion, placing a ring on her collar, probably as an act of remembrance for a loved one. On the other side, she hangs a decorative pendant. Glinting in her dark hair is a star-shaped jewel, and resting on her head is a pearl headdress. She wears pearl drop earrings and a gold and diamond cross hangs from the dark ropes around her neck. Although it is not clear who the portrait depicts, the rings on her finger suggest that she might be betrothed, and her elaborate jewellery and feather fan declare her high status close to the court.
We are grateful to Diana Scarisbrick for her insights into the jewellery depicted here, as well as for making the comparison with portraits of Anne of Denmark.
1 https://www.rct.uk/collection/search#/11/collection/405813/anne-of-denmark-1574-1619