Lot 35: JOHANNES CORNELISZ. VERSPRONCK | Portrait of Cornelis Montigny de Glarges, aged 43, half-length, in a brown coat and white lace ruff

oil on canvas

80.8 by 64.8 cm.; 31 3/4  by 25 1/2  in.

oil on canvas

The following condition report is provided by Hamish Dewar who is an external specialist and not an employee of Sotheby's: Structural Condition The canvas has been recently lined and this is ensuring an even and secure structural support. Paint surface The paint surface has evidently recently been cleaned, restored and revarnished, presumably at the same time as the canvas was lined, and the varnish surface is even. Some retouchings, such as those in the background and around the framing edges, are just visible in natural light. Inspection under ultraviolet light shows a number of retouchings, most notably on the sitter's face, forehead and nose. These retouchings have been particularly skilfully applied and are really only visible under ultraviolet light. Inspection under ultraviolet light also shows broader retouchings highlighting the sitter's hair and small scattered retouchings in the dark pigments of his costume, including what would appear to be a repaired tear, approximately 4 cm in length, just below his white collar. Inspection under ultraviolet light also shows traces of older, discoloured varnish layers beneath the recent varnish, and it may be that there are other retouchings beneath the opaque varnish layers that are not identifiable under ultraviolet light. Summary The painting would therefore appear to be in reasonably good and stable condition and no further work is required.
"This lot is offered for sale subject to Sotheby's Conditions of Business, which are available on request and printed in Sotheby's sale catalogues. The independent reports contained in this document are provided for prospective bidders' information only and without warranty by Sotheby's or the Seller."

Haarlem, Frans Halsmuseum, Verspronck, 15 September – 25 November 1979, no. 64;
New Brunswick, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, Jane Voorhees Zimmerli Art Museum, Haarlem: the 17th century, 20 February – 17 April 1983, no. 129.

R.E.O. Ekkart, Johannes Cornelisz. Verspronck, exhibition catalogue, Haarlem 1979, pp. 48, 103, no. 64, reproduced p. 176 (as dated 1646);
F. Fox Hofrichter, Haarlem: the Seventeenth Century, exhibition catalogue, New Brunswick 1983, pp. 139, no. 129, reproduced p. 138.

Presumably by descent in the family of the sitter;
Douairière A.C. Groeninx van Zoelen (née Baroness van der Goes van Dirxland), The Hague;
Anonymous sale, Amsterdam, Mak van Waay, 26 May – 5 June 1964, lot 497;
Private collection, U.S.A.;
Anonymous sale ('The Property of a Gentleman'), London, Christie's, 28 November 1975, lot 84, when acquired by the father of the present owners.