Anonymous sale, London, Sotheby's Olympia, 31 October 2006, lot 73 (as Follower of Van Dyck).

The canvas has a firm relining, the paint surface is quite dirty and the varnish discoloured. The canvas shows evidence of wear throughout. The paint has thinned so that the weave of the canvas is visible underneath it. Inspection under ultraviolet light reveals two campaigns of retouching; the older campaign scattered throughout her face and hair, and the more recent campaign along the upper, right and lower edges, contouring her neck lower right, and contouring her profile along the left margin. In overall moderate condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This characterful and intriguing portrait of a young girl may originally have formed part of a larger composition, or may always have been intended as a study. Indeed, the painting shares the fluency of execution found in Van Dyck's double heady study of 1637 of Princesses Elizabeth and Anne, daughters of Charles I (The Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Edinburgh),¹ related to the finished group portrait of the King's children (Royal Collection, London).² Here, the sympathetic understanding of the girl's physiognomy and the subject's engaging, confident expression, reflect Van Dyck's consummate proficiency in portraying children. 1. Inv. no. PG 3010; see S.J. Barnes et al., Van Dyck. A complete catalogue of the paintings, New Haven and London 2004, p. 481, cat. no. IV.63, reproduced.
2. Inv. no. RCIN 404405; see Barnes et al. 2004, pp. 479-80, cat. no. IV.62, reproduced in colour p. 480.