LOT #69056 |
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Nicolaes Maes (Dutch, 1634-1693). Portrait of a gentleman, circa 1680. Oil on canvas. 27-1/2 x 22-1/2 inches (69.8 x 57....
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Sold on Jun 5, 2025 for:
$8,125.00
Bid Source: Internet bidder
Description
Nicolaes Maes (Dutch, 1634-1693)Portrait of a gentleman, circa 1680
Oil on canvas
27-1/2 x 22-1/2 inches (69.8 x 57.1 cm)
Signed lower right: Maes
Apocryphally titled lower left: Sir William Temple
PROVENANCE:
F.W. Krantz, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, by 1920;
Private collection, The Netherlands, by 1939;
Christie's, Amsterdam, December 2, 1987, lot 206 (as Portrait of a gentleman wearing blue brocade jacket);
Private collection, Pennsylvania;
Private collection, New York, acquired from the above, 2024.
When the Dutch art historian Dr. Cornelis Hofstede de Groot viewed this portrait in south Rotterdam in October 1920, he made note of the fact that it was signed at lower right in the artist's calligraphic manner, proposing a date of circa 1680. He opined that the sitter appeared too young to have been William Temple, English Ambassador to the Dutch Republic from 1668 to 1672 and again from 1674 to 1679, whom de Groot referred to as "the statesman who was born in 1628." Indeed, the portrait bears little resemblance to known likenesses of Temple by and after Sir Peter Lely (circa 1660) and by Caspar Netscher (1675), apart from generic affinities with Netscher's portrait which places Temple in a dark landscape and shows him wearing a Japanese robe, which was au courant in Holland during the last quarter of the 17th century (National Portrait Gallery, London, NPG 3812).
De Groot's notes on this painting are preserved at the Rijksbureau voor kunsthistorische Documentatie, The Hague, Hofstede de Groot fiche number 1297558, box 155, and available digitally online: https://rkd.nl/excerpts/294346.
Condition Report*:
Lined canvas. Minor frame abrasion at edges. Some yellowing to the varnish layer. Faint, finely patterned craquelure throughout. Under reflective light, circular ghost markings are visible, indicating extended storage in contact with large-format bubble wrap. A very few scattered pinpoint dots of loss. Minor surface dust. Not examined out of frame.
Under UV: heavily applied varnish fluoresces green, somewhat obscuring the picture surface. Some instances of strengthening visible, affecting vines around the column at left and shadows in the folds of the figure's proper left sleeve. Slight retouching to edges of the plinth at lower left, and very finely applied retouching to the figure's hair, the shadow under his nose, and strategically applied strengthening at the crease in his eyelids and along the lash line. The wrap draped over the figure's shoulders appears to have been extended so that it covers more of the figure's proper left shoulder. The hanging foliage in the background at upper right also appears to be a slightly later addition.
Framed Dimensions 32.5 X 27.75 X 2 Inches
*Heritage Auctions strives to provide as much information as possible but encourages in-person inspection by bidders.
Statements regarding the condition of objects are only for general guidance and should not be relied upon as complete statements of fact, and do not constitute a representation,
warranty or assumption of liability by Heritage. Some condition issues may not be noted in the condition report but are apparent in the provided photos which are considered part of the condition report.
Please note that we do not de-frame lots estimated at $1,000 or less and may not be able to provide additional details for lots valued under $500.
Heritage does not guarantee the condition of frames and shall not be liable for any damage/scratches to frames, glass/acrylic coverings, original boxes, display accessories, or art that has slipped in frames.
All lots are sold "AS IS" under the Terms & Conditions of Auction.Under UV: heavily applied varnish fluoresces green, somewhat obscuring the picture surface. Some instances of strengthening visible, affecting vines around the column at left and shadows in the folds of the figure's proper left sleeve. Slight retouching to edges of the plinth at lower left, and very finely applied retouching to the figure's hair, the shadow under his nose, and strategically applied strengthening at the crease in his eyelids and along the lash line. The wrap draped over the figure's shoulders appears to have been extended so that it covers more of the figure's proper left shoulder. The hanging foliage in the background at upper right also appears to be a slightly later addition.
Framed Dimensions 32.5 X 27.75 X 2 Inches
Auction Info
2025 June 5 Fine European Art Signature® Auction #8206 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
June, 2025
5th
Thursday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 4
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 1,501
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25% on the first $1,000,000 (minimum $49), plus 20% of any amount between $1,000,000 and $5,000,000, plus 15% of any amount over $5,000,000 per lot.
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