Cornelius Johnson (1593 - 1661) Portrait of Frances How...

Hammer

£10,000

Cornelius Johnson (1593 - 1661)
Portrait of Frances Howard (later Carr), Countess of Somerset (1590 - 1632)
The Countess of Somerset was the daughter of Thomas Howard, 1st Earl of Suffolk. She married firstly Robert Devereux, 3rd Earl of Essex, and secondly Robert Carr, 1st Earl of Somerset.
The lady in half length, wearing a red dress and a white lace collar and cuffs, with intricate chains decorated with enamel and pearl floral motifs
Oil on panel

Provenance:
Sotheby's, British Paintings 1500-1850, 10 November 1993, Lot 14, where purchased by the present owner

Cornelius Johnson (1593-1661), also known as Cornelius Janssens van Ceulen, was born in London to Dutch parents. Johnson’s career flourished in both countries, and reflected the cultural and artistic exchanges of the era. Johnson’s portraits can be characterised by a meticulous attention to detail and a keen sensitivity to the character of his sitters, capturing the essence of his subjects with remarkable intimacy and realism. Johnson’s mastery of technique, influenced by both Dutch and English artistic traditions, consolidated his position amongst the elite circles of society, and his patrons regularly included members of the royal court.

This early Cornelius Johnson pre-dates his more common prototype developed later in his career.

Property of a Gentleman

Dimensions:
(Panel) 29 in. (H) x 22.5 in. (W)
(Frame) 36 in. (H) x 28.5 in. (W)