Attributed to Cornelis Janssens van Ceulen (1593-1661) Portrait of Mrs Hyde

Attributed to Cornelis Janssens van Ceulen (1593-1661) Portrait of Mrs Hyde, bust length, her body turned to dexter, richly clothed in shades of brown and gold with embroideries, a ruff and a dark veil upon her head, oil on panel 68 x 49cm, frame 79 x 59.5cm

The painting bears a label to the back reading 'This portrait of Mrs Hyde, wife of Benjamin Hyde, merchant of Chichester (whose portrait now belongs to William Earl of Stamford) hung at Selborne. It was cleaned and restored in 1909 by Hul Schafer of 40 Brewer Street, Regents, W(?) probably by a Dutch artist' signed Rashleigh Holt White and dated August 1909.

There is a second label on headed paper from the 'National Club, 12 - Queen Anne's Gate, S.W' reading 'Janssen, or Jansen (sometimes Johnson) Cornelius (1593-1664), Flemish painter...worked in England from 1618-1643...patronised by James I and the Court, and under Charles I he continued to paint the numerous portraits which adorn many English mansions and collections. Johnson's pictures, chiefly portraits, are distinguished by clear colouring, delicate touch, good taste and careful finish. He generally painted upon panel...a characteritic of his style is the very dark background which throws the carnations of his portraits into grounded reliefs...' Extract from Brit. Encyclopoedia, Edition II Vol 15

Additional note: The National Trust collection of Dunham Massey, Cheshire, comprises an oil painting of Benjamin Hyde circa 1640, indicating he was a merchant of Chichester, and was an ancestor of Harriet White (1829-1880), the mother of William Grey, 9th Earl of Stamford (1850-1910). He was a staunch supporter of Charles I.

Condition Report
Some areas of retouching to the bodice and very small areas of the face detected.  Some very small surface bruises lower right, lower middle and middle.  Generally good appearance overall.

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