Isaac Oliver (Rouen circa 1565-1617 London)

Portrait of a young lady, with downcast eyes, bust-length

Details

Isaac Oliver (Rouen circa 1565-1617 London)
Portrait of a young lady, with downcast eyes, bust-length
with collector's stamp (lower centre)
pencil and brown and grey wash heightened with touches of gold, oval
2 ½ x 2 in. (16.4 x 5.1 cm.)

Provenance

Jonathan Richardson. Sen. (L. 1514).
Miss Dora Webb, L.M.S.; Sotheby's, London, 27 March 1969, lot 113.
Dr Theodore Besterman; Christie's, London, 17 November 1981, lot 28.
Colin Hunter; Sotheby's, London, 11 July 1991, lot 12 (unsold).
Colin Hunter; Sotheby's, London, 16 July 1992, lot 57 (unsold).

Brought to you by

Harriet West

hwest@christies.com +44 (0)20 7389 2541

Lot Essay

Isaac Oliver was born in France of a Huguenot family who came to England. Oliver travelled widely and visited Italy in 1596. It has been suggested that the present sensitive drawing dates from after this visit. Stylistically it is similar to a Sheet of studies of men and women in the Courtauld Institute (see G. Reynolds, Nicholas Hilliard and Isaac Oliver, London, 1971, no. 201, pl. XLVII0). Works by Oliver are rare and the present drawing has been in several prestigious collections including that of the artist and connoisseur Jonathan Richardson Senior (1665-1745), the distinguished bibliographer Theodore Besterman (1904-1976), whose sale was held in these Rooms, November 1981, and Colin Hunter (1926-2013), who was particularly attracted to works, which had previously belonged to other well-known collectors.

More from Old Master and British Drawings and Watercolours

View All