Portrait of a gentleman, bust-length, in a white ruff

The condition of lots can vary widely and the nature of the lots sold means that they are unlikely to be in a perfect condition. Lots are sold in the condition they are in at the time of sale.

The painting has been executed on paper, later laid down on canvas. There are two fold marks in the paper, one running horizontally along the top of the sheet, 2 cm. from the upper edge, the other running vertically down the centre of the sheet between the sitter's eyes. The sheet and the canvas are both stable. In a raking light it is possible to discern some slight wrinkles to the sheet at the lower right. There is a very fine pattern of craquelure to the flesh tones. A small scratch to the paint surface of approximately 2.5 cm. can be seen to the lower centre at the edge of the sitter's ruff. Examination under UV light reveals retouching along the aforementioned sheet folds. There is further scattered retouching, most notably to the background at the upper edge and to the right of the sitter and in the ruff. The paint remains stable. The painterly application of glazes and the delicacy of modeling in the head remain in a good state of preservation.