Circle of Mary Beale (British 1632-1699)

Portrait of a lady, said to be Louise de Kérouaille, Duchess of Portsmouth (1649-1734)

oil on canvas, held in a carved and gilded frame
77 x 63 cm, framed 94 x 81 cm

Condition Report

The canvas has been lined and the canvas undulates, mainly down the right hand side. Craquelure is visible throughout. There are scattered specks of paint loss. The paint surface is thin in areas, particularly to the blue fabric on the right. Several surface scratches, incuding two to the lower left corner. Tape is visible along the left edge, and upper right edge, where the painting has slipped in the frame. Surface dirt visible throughout. UV light reveals retouching to a line of old damage to the left hand side of the sitter's face and neck. There is retouching to the background, particularly the upper half, and smaller scattered areas throughout.