English School, 1626

English School, 1626 English School, 1626 Portrait of a gentleman, standing three-quarter-length, in a red doublet with lace collar and cuffs inscribed and dated 'Ætatis sua 36/anno 1626' u.r., with later inscription 'Zuchero PINXt.' u.r. and a further indistinct inscription u.l., indicated by the small hand pointing, oil on canvas 73 x 59cm Condition Report: Overall 95 x 82cm The painting is executed in oil on a canvas support which has been lined. The canvas tension is good and the picture is in plane. The paint layers have suffered from wear and abrasion but is stable overall. There is loss and cracking in the upper left corner. Here a window is visible with clouds and a sunburst. Below this is a small hand pointing to an inscription which is very worn and difficult to read, but possibly a motto. The inscription at the upper right hand corner is worn and has been reinforced, this is likely to be original to the picture. The inscription below this reading ‘ZUCCHERO PINX.’ is a later addition painted in yellow with abraded gilding across the surface. The canvas weave is evident in the worn flesh paint. Overpaint has been applied across the surface which is acceptable at a normal viewing distance. The varnish is clear and even. Unfortunately we do not know the identity of the sitter, it is possible they were named on the indistinct inscription upper left which is now obscured.