Portrait of a gentleman, said to be Jacques II, Marquis de Castelnau (1620-1658), standing three-quarter-length, before a landscape wearing armor and a white sash

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 uncradled panel is in plane and exhibits beveling along all four sides of the gessoed reverse. The varnish is slightly cloudy and yellowed and the paint stable on the support. A hairline crack measuring approximately 4 inches in length extends vertically through the lower portion of the sitter’s armor. Under ultraviolet light the aged varnish fluoresces green, though some retouching, generally to reinforce contours, is evident around the opening of the visor, in the man’s armor and along the edges to address earlier frame abrasion. The painting presents well with all the fine details reading clearly and can be displayed in its current state or cleaned, according to taste.