British School (17th century) Portrait of a lady, Barbara (Widman)...

British School (17th century) Portrait of a lady, Barbara (Widman) O'Reilly (according to inscription), half length, in a feigned oval Oil on canvas, 68cm by 56cm

The original canvas has rounded corners, and it has been laid on a lining canvas, with canvas inserts at each corner. The lining canvas has a thick seam at the reverse, and an old paper label adhered. The lining is fairly stiff, but lacking in tension and there are six keys missing. The canvas is undulating slightly, including a ridge down the right hand side and in the middle of the top edge. The oval edges of the original canvas are exposed where filling material and overpaint between it and the corner inserts have flaked. The paint and ground over the corner inserts has flaked, and is not stable, and there are unrestored losses in places. The paper covering the tacking margins is visible along the bottom edge and in places at the left side. There is a feint stretcher bar mark vertically and horizontally through the centre of the painting from a previous stretcher. There is brittle age and impact craquelure throughout, slighly elevated but currently stable. It appears that the painting has had a history of flaking and small scale losses - with tiny flakes missing to the flesh tones. Due to the thick obscuring varnish, it is difficult to see what precisely is going on in the darker passages, but the uneven surface suggests some losses and elevation. There are likely several campaigns of overpaint, particularly to the background and drapery, but again, due to the obscuring varnish it the extent can't be seen, but there is thick overpaint visible at the joins with the canvas inserts particularly to the bottom right corner. There are small scale restored losses scattered. There has been some abrasion and thinning of the paint, most apparent in the darker passages of drapery, the face and the hair. The inscription has been strengthened. There is overpaint to long scratches and small losses in the neck and chest. The picture has been partly cleaned in the past, leaving mottled yellow old varnish and ingrained dirt - particularly evident in the face. There is a very thick, glossy upper varnish layer, and a few minor scuffs and scratches and surface accretions. Provenance: From a private client in York who is downsizing. We are happy to provide Condition Reports to prospective buyers, but would welcome your request as soon as possible, preferably at least 48 hours before the Day of Sale. We cannot guarantee a reply to any requests made within 48 hours of the start of the auction. The absence of a Condition Report from a lot does not mean that the lot is in perfect condition. A Condition Report is an honest expression of our opinion, not a statement of fact and is provided as a service to the seller. All lots are available on public view ahead of an auction and we encourage prospective buyers to inspect an item in person where possible. Our Condition Reports are not prepared by professional conservators, restorers, or engineers, and are prepared with the naked eye unless otherwise stated. Regarding Pictures, Prints and Works on Paper, works are not examined out of the frame, unless specifically stated. Tennants Auctioneers do not cover damage to gilded wood or plaster picture frames, or to picture frame glass whilst the item is in our possession. We accept no liability for the opinions expressed in any Condition Report.