17th Century Spanish School
Portrait of a Lady
Oil on canvas, unframed
25 1/2" x 19 5/8" actual

Provenance:
Private Collection California

Beautifully painted in face indicating a skilled hand. Bodice details, beading and folds not quite as skillfully painted perhaps indicating its joint work of a skilled artist and their studio. Old paste lining. old framing batten at left and right edges. Multiple layers of dirt and thick discolored varnish. Scattered bloom in varnish layer. Multiple old restoration campaigns likely. Presumed areas of overpaint in background but not visible under UV due to thick old varnish. Presumed scattered retouch but not clearly visible under UV. Small test clean likely in bodice at left center. Cupping paint in background and through left side of bodice. Scattered areas of loss. Small punctures with loss hair near forehead. Old break/crease in canvas with resultant loss at lower edge. Remains of paint along tacking edges indicated original composition may be been cropped slightly. Needs conservation.