Lot 183: JACOB VAN LOO

THE PROPERTY OF A DISTINGUISHED PRIVATE COLLECTOR SLUIS 1614 - 1670 PARIS PORTRAIT OF A BOY, FULL LENGTH, IN PINK SILK PLAYING WITH TWO PUPPIES oil on canvas, in an 18th-century carved and gilt frame 153 by 115.5 cm.; 60 1/4 by 45 1/2 in.

Birmingham, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Works of Art from Midland Houses, 1953, no. 104 (as Gerard de Lairesse); Kingston-upon-Hull, Ferens Art Gallery, Dutch Painting of the 17th century, 1961, no. 57 (as Gerard de Lairesse); Nottingham, Nottingham University Art Gallery, Locko Park and the Drury Lowes, 1982, no. 38 (as Gerard de Lairesse).

J.P. Richter, Catalogue of Pictures at Locko Park, London 1901, no. 123 (as Gerard de Lairesse); D. Mandrella, Jacob van Loo, Paris 2011, p. 180, no. P.104, reproduced, also p. 213, under no. PM.185 (as Jacob van Loo).

William Drury Lowe (1803-1877), Locko Park, Derbyshire; By descent to his son William Drury Nathaniel Lowe (1828-1906); By descent to his grandson John D.B. Packe Drury-Lowe (1905-1960); By whose descendants sold London, Sotheby's, 6 December 1995, lot 38 (as Jacob van Loo, for £26,000 to the present owner).

Traditionally ascribed to Gerard de Lairesse, the correct attribution was first made in 1970 by S.J. Gudlaugsson on the basis of photographs, and at the time of the 1995 sale, endorsed by Fred G. Meijer and Rudi Ekkart. Mandrella mentions in connection with this picture a lost smaller portrait on canvas of Johannes Reiniers as an Infant, lavishly attired in silks and accompanied by his dog, signed by Van Loo, and to judge from its description in a 1906 sale catalogue, as opulent and colourful as the present work.1 1. See Mandrella under literature.