Michael Dahl (1657-1743), attribuito a - Ritratto di Gentiluomo (prob. William Gore-Lord Mayor of London)
Antique painting, oil on canvas, dating back to the late 17th and early 18th century, depicting the Portrait of a Gentleman, probably Sir William Gore (1644 - 1707) , Lord Mayor of London.
This elegant portrait has what appears to be an old auction label on the back of the frame, reporting an attribution to Michael Dahl (1659–1743) , an exceptionally talented painter born in Stockholm. Dahl studied with David Ehrenstrahl, the leading Swedish portrait painter of the time, before embarking on a tour of Europe in 1682 that included London, Paris and Rome. He first visited London and is thought to have spent time in Kneller's studio, which influenced his work.
In 1698 he was offered the position of painter at the court of the Swedish king Charles XII, but he preferred to stay and settle permanently in London. Some of Dahl's compatriots saw England as relatively stable and prosperous compared to many European countries and more welcoming than France, for example, to the Lutheran faith then prevalent in Sweden. There, he established a highly successful studio and by 1700 was the most successful painter in England, second only to Godfrey Kneller. His Scandinavian origins secured him the patronage of Prince George of Denmark, Queen Anne and members of the English court and he worked for the Duke of Somerset painting the Petworth 'Beauties' in the late 1690s.
Our canvas depicts a finely dressed gentleman who seems to correspond, also by virtue of the inscription on the rolled sheet positioned on the table next to the depicted man, to Sir William Gore (1644 - 1707) , mayor of London from 1701 to 1702, being He was elected alderman for Coleman Street in 1690.
A successful merchant, Gore was appointed founding director of the Bank of England in 1694 before serving as governor of the Hamburg and Levant companies.
Sir William was the grandson of Sir John Gore, Mayor of London (died 1636) , a relative of Arthur Gore, 1st Earl of Arran and great-uncle of William Gore-Langton, a British politician who remained in the House of Commons for 45 years.
The stylistic and iconographic references of our work match well with Dahl's biography and artistic personality, just as by observing the drafts one can see refined passages and the use of fine pigments; the analysis of the crack would also indicate a contemporary dating, thus leading us to consider the attribution to Dahl to whom the cartouche on the back of the frame refers more than appropriate.
In fairly good general condition considering the age of the painting, some scattered restoration points can be seen as well as some light peeling and cracking of the pictorial surface. There are no conservation problems highlighted. The original canvas has an old relining which does not appear to require intervention. A fine crackle is visible in relation to the era. The frame appears to have been replaced at the time of the relining.
Framed in a beautiful posthumous period frame, which has defects and restorations.
Measurements of the painting: 122 x 96. 5 cm. Frame measurements: 135 x 110 cm.
Work accompanied by a certificate of photographic authenticity, as per current legislation.
Shipping via insured express courier and packaging carried out with the utmost care.
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Antique painting, oil on canvas, dating back to the late 17th and early 18th century, depicting the Portrait of a Gentleman, probably Sir William Gore (1644 - 1707) , Lord Mayor of London.
This elegant portrait has what appears to be an old auction label on the back of the frame, reporting an attribution to Michael Dahl (1659–1743) , an exceptionally talented painter born in Stockholm. Dahl studied with David Ehrenstrahl, the leading Swedish portrait painter of the time, before embarking on a tour of Europe in 1682 that included London, Paris and Rome. He first visited London and is thought to have spent time in Kneller's studio, which influenced his work.
In 1698 he was offered the position of painter at the court of the Swedish king Charles XII, but he preferred to stay and settle permanently in London. Some of Dahl's compatriots saw England as relatively stable and prosperous compared to many European countries and more welcoming than France, for example, to the Lutheran faith then prevalent in Sweden. There, he established a highly successful studio and by 1700 was the most successful painter in England, second only to Godfrey Kneller. His Scandinavian origins secured him the patronage of Prince George of Denmark, Queen Anne and members of the English court and he worked for the Duke of Somerset painting the Petworth 'Beauties' in the late 1690s.
Our canvas depicts a finely dressed gentleman who seems to correspond, also by virtue of the inscription on the rolled sheet positioned on the table next to the depicted man, to Sir William Gore (1644 - 1707) , mayor of London from 1701 to 1702, being He was elected alderman for Coleman Street in 1690.
A successful merchant, Gore was appointed founding director of the Bank of England in 1694 before serving as governor of the Hamburg and Levant companies.
Sir William was the grandson of Sir John Gore, Mayor of London (died 1636) , a relative of Arthur Gore, 1st Earl of Arran and great-uncle of William Gore-Langton, a British politician who remained in the House of Commons for 45 years.
The stylistic and iconographic references of our work match well with Dahl's biography and artistic personality, just as by observing the drafts one can see refined passages and the use of fine pigments; the analysis of the crack would also indicate a contemporary dating, thus leading us to consider the attribution to Dahl to whom the cartouche on the back of the frame refers more than appropriate.
In fairly good general condition considering the age of the painting, some scattered restoration points can be seen as well as some light peeling and cracking of the pictorial surface. There are no conservation problems highlighted. The original canvas has an old relining which does not appear to require intervention. A fine crackle is visible in relation to the era. The frame appears to have been replaced at the time of the relining.
Framed in a beautiful posthumous period frame, which has defects and restorations.
Measurements of the painting: 122 x 96. 5 cm. Frame measurements: 135 x 110 cm.
Work accompanied by a certificate of photographic authenticity, as per current legislation.
Shipping via insured express courier and packaging carried out with the utmost care.
Sale price
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
