Lot 6: Jacob Huysmans (c.1633-c.1696)

Portrait of a lady, three-quarter-length, in a grey dress and blue wrap, her right arm resting on a table with a bowl of fruit and flowers, a red curtain and landscape beyond oil on canvas 501/4 x 40 in. (127.7 x 101.6 cm.) PROVENANCE At Crewe Hall, in the 18th Century, and by descent. NOTES This portrait was traditionally thought to be of Barbara Villiers, Duchess of Cleveland, however, the identification is no longer considered tenable. Jacob Huysmans, who was born in Antwerp, was a pupil of Frans Wouters. He travelled to England soon after the Restoration and was settled in London by 1662. He was considered in the court circles around Queen Catherine of Braganza to be the chief rival to Sir Peter Lely.