FOLLOWER OF MIGUEL CABRERA | Portrait of a lady, full length, wearing a costume

oil on copper;

bears signature lower right: 'Mich? Cabrera'

The copper is diagonally bent, possibly due to framing. A delicate image reads well with some spots of loss visible on the edges, with a tiny dot at left of the flower pot, and other smaller spots on the floor by the sitter's feet. There is a scratch on the center of the sitter's black gown. Some darker spots of inconsistency are along the right side, as well as a half circle at top center, which all fluoresce under UV light. A small dot of retouching is at left of the sitter's shoulder, as well as two thin lines on her exposed breast. Further reading is impeded because of the dirty varnish. A light clean and refilling of the losses could improve the paintings appearance though it can hang in its present state. Offered in an ornate gilded wood frame.
The lot is sold in the condition it is in at the time of sale. The condition report is provided to assist you with assessing the condition of the lot and is for guidance only. Any reference to condition in the condition report for the lot does not amount to a full description of condition. The images of the lot form part of the condition report for the lot provided by Sotheby's. Certain images of the lot provided online may not accurately reflect the actual condition of the lot. In particular, the online images may represent colours and shades which are different to the lot's actual colour and shades. The condition report for the lot may make reference to particular imperfections of the lot but you should note that the lot may have other faults not expressly referred to in the condition report for the lot or shown in the online images of the lot. The condition report may not refer to all faults, restoration, alteration or adaptation because Sotheby's is not a professional conservator or restorer but rather the condition report is a statement of opinion genuinely held by Sotheby's. For that reason, Sotheby's condition report is not an alternative to taking your own professional advice regarding the condition of the lot.

The ensemble the lady of this portrait wears is actually clothing gentlemen during the 17^th century would wear. This sitter could very well be a character from a play, like for example Porcia, who disguises herself as the lawyer Bellario in 'The Merchant of Venice' by Shakespeare.

We are grateful to Carolina Morales for her assistance in cataloguing this painting.