English School (16th or 17th Century) Portrait of a Bearded Gentleman, quarter length, painted aged 30 and dated 1564, oil on panel, 25.3 x 25.3 cm, frame 33.3 x 33.3 cm

Notes: This type of ruffled collar was concurrent with fashion in the 1560s when ruffs were primarily still made from linen and before the development of the much larger and more elaborate designs of the 1580s. The sitter bears resemblance to the Elizabethan courtier and spymaster Francis Walsingham (1532-1590) who would have been aged 31/32 at the date of this painting. The panel has potentially been cut down from a larger piece.

Note: the subject bears resemblance to Sir Francis Walsingham (c 1532-1590), principal secretary to Queen Elizabeth I, also referred to as her spymaster.

Condition Report

The painting is an oil on panel, framed without glazing. The panel is warped to the left hand side and has likely been cut down at some point. The frame is much later. The paint surface has craquelure throughout with some areas of flaking and paint loss inlcuing to the hair, ears and background. There is some damage to the beard with resultant paint loss, a scratch with paint loss to the collarbone area and a large circular shaped area of damage atop the coat of arms. Dirt and accretions are present. The warping on the left shows a gap between the panel and the frame. 

Bidding indicates acceptance of the condition of the lot.  All lots are sold subject to general wear and tear commensurate with age and handling over time and only obvious faults will be mentioned after a visual inspection. If you have particular specialist questions on any lot, please state these before bidding since we cannot and will not provide a forensic examination of any lot but only a general condition report as a guide only. All condition reports given by Halls Holdings Ltd's representatives or agents are statements of opinion and not fact. If you require any further information about any lots in this auction or about bidding please do not hesitate to contact us again.