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Portrait of a lady, traditionally identified as Mary Herbert, Countess of Pembroke, née Sidney (1561-1621), three-quarter-length, seated, in a black gown, with saffron dyed lace ruff and cuffs
Details
ENGLISH SCHOOL, CIRCA 1620
Portrait of a lady, traditionally identified as Mary Herbert, Countess of Pembroke, née Sidney (1561-1621), three-quarter-length, seated, in a black gown, with saffron dyed lace ruff and cuffs
oil on canvas
42 x 35 ½ in. (106.7 x 90.2 cm)
Portrait of a lady, traditionally identified as Mary Herbert, Countess of Pembroke, née Sidney (1561-1621), three-quarter-length, seated, in a black gown, with saffron dyed lace ruff and cuffs
oil on canvas
42 x 35 ½ in. (106.7 x 90.2 cm)
Provenance
Believed to have been owned by The Earls of Pembroke and presented to The Hon. William Herbert (c.1696-1757), (according to a label on the reverse), and by descent to,
George Edward Stanhope Molyneux Herbert, 5th Earl of Carnarvon, Highclere (1866-1923); Christie's, London, 31 May 1918, lot 99, as 'Coello' (75 gns. to F. Sabin).
Anonymous sale [The Property of an American Collector]; Christie's, London, 28 July 1939, lot 49, as 'Gheeraedts' (11 gns. to Thompson).
Martin Crabbe; (†), Sotheby's, London, 10 July 1991, lot 15, as 'Attributed to Robert Peake', when acquired by the present owner.
George Edward Stanhope Molyneux Herbert, 5th Earl of Carnarvon, Highclere (1866-1923); Christie's, London, 31 May 1918, lot 99, as 'Coello' (75 gns. to F. Sabin).
Anonymous sale [The Property of an American Collector]; Christie's, London, 28 July 1939, lot 49, as 'Gheeraedts' (11 gns. to Thompson).
Martin Crabbe; (†), Sotheby's, London, 10 July 1991, lot 15, as 'Attributed to Robert Peake', when acquired by the present owner.
Literature
Several elements of the sitter’s dress date the portrait to circa 1620, including the yellow hue of the lace collar and cuffs, an effect created using a saffron dye that was fashionable at the beginning of the seventeenth century. The high waistline, tip up lace collar, narrow open sleeves and black thread jewellery are all comparable to a full-length portrait of Lady Aston (c. 1620-3; London, Tate Britain).
Although the sitter has been traditionally identified as Mary Herbert, Countess of Pembroke (née Sidney, 1561-1621), she would appear to be much younger than a woman in her late fifties / early sixties. Other likenesses of the Countess of Pembroke around the same date are also not consistent with the features presented in this portrait (see Simon van Passe’s engraving of Mary Sidney, dated 1618).
Although the sitter has been traditionally identified as Mary Herbert, Countess of Pembroke (née Sidney, 1561-1621), she would appear to be much younger than a woman in her late fifties / early sixties. Other likenesses of the Countess of Pembroke around the same date are also not consistent with the features presented in this portrait (see Simon van Passe’s engraving of Mary Sidney, dated 1618).
Brought to you by
Alastair Plumb
Senior Specialist, Head of Sale, European Art