LOT DETAILS

Materials:

oil on panel

Size Notes:

2 https://www.mfab.hu/artworks/portrait-of-hans-heinrich-pilgram/; and https://www.mfab.hu/artworks/portrait-of-margaretha-mertha-merthen-the-wife-of-heinrich-pilgram/

Edition:

Two of Neufchatel's finest works are the full-length portraits of the merchant Hans Hendrik Pilgram and his wife, Margaretha Mertha, painted in 1561, today in the Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest (inv. nos 346 and 348).2 The present portrait has previously been identified as a likeness of Margharetha Mertha, depicted at a more advanced age than the young lady in the Budapest work. In any case, the lady portrayed here is clearly of an elevated social status, indicated by the fine gold chains for which Nuremberg goldsmiths were famed and the ornate, jewelled rings that she wears.

Description:

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Markings:

The panel is cradled, the paint surface is relatively clean, and the varnish is pretty clear and even. Two vertical joins or splits, with associated retouching, are visible running the height of the panel, just right of centre, and a couple of inches from the left-hand margin. In raking light it is also possible to discern a few horizontal lines of retouching in the background to the left and right of the sitter's shoulders, and in the lower right corner, running from her black velvet cuff to the right-hand margin. Inspection under ultraviolet light confirms these and reveals further small retouchings scattered throughout the background, most notably in the lower left corner. There are also areas of retouching in the upper half of her face (as well as to the join which runs through this), her left shoulder, centre of her chest, in small areas of her right hand, and small, but more numerously scattered down her right side and in the lower half of her dress. Despite these, the portrait presents very well in its current state, and is in overall fair condition.

Condition:

unframed: 100.9 x 80.1 cm.; 39 x 31 in.