French School, 17th century, Portrait of a lady, half-length, wearing a bejewelled and embroidered dress, with pearl necklace and earrings

Property of Lord Ralph Kerr
French School, 17th century
Portrait of a lady, half-length, wearing a bejewelled and embroidered dress, with pearl necklace and earrings

oil on canvas
unframed: 67.5 x 48.9 cm.; 26 5/8 x 19 1/4 in.
framed: 91.3 x 73.8 cm.; 35 7/8 x 29 in.

Condition Report:
The canvas is lined, the paint surface is very dirty, and the varnish is discoloured. A repaired knock or damage to the surface in the sitter's chest, above the large jewel brooch, has resulted in a slight bump in the canvas here. There are scattered pinprick losses, including at the tip of her nose, and lines of discoloured retouching to old damages across the sitter's face, neck and chest, all visible to the naked eye. Inspection under ultraviolet light is entirely impeded by the discoloured varnish, but much of the background also appears to have been repainted. The painting is in overall moderate condition.