Lot 24
Attributed to Lucas de Heere (1534-1584)
Lot 24 Details
Attributed to Lucas de Heere (1534-1584), Flemish/British
AN UNIDENTIFIED LADY HOLDING A ROSARY (A MEMENTO MORI SKULL DEPICTED AT HER SIDE)
Oil on panel
14 ins x 10.5 ins; 35.6 cms x 26.7 cms
Estimate $8,000-$12,000
Additional Images
Provenance:
"Mr. Butler / framed/ Feb. 21/89" (1889) small label annotated with pen and ink verso;
"From the Collection of Charles Butler of Warren Wood", Hatfield, UK, partial typeset label from the front cover of an old catalogue verso;
Galerie Bernard Desroches, Montreal, QC, Inv. No. 2535 as “Lucas de Heere” ‘Portrait d’une Dame Flamande’ gallery label verso;
Private Collection, Ontario by descent from their mother, Montreal, PQ
Note:
In the sixteenth century, the image of a skull was understood to be a symbolic reminder to live life to the fullest. Lucas de Heere died at an early age. He was known for his detailed 16th century studies of the dress of the period and left lasting records of Tudor and Elizabethan clothing throughout much of Europe, India and Turkey.
It is possible the sitter depicted in this early portrait is that of a London gentlewoman since it was in a Private Collection in the UK sold at auction long ago. The panel has a black stencil number “BE554” verso.