Lot 120: ATTRIBUTED TO THEODORE RUSSEL

ATTRIBUTED TO THEODORE RUSSEL LONDON, 1614-1689 PORTRAIT OF A LADY oil on panel 11 1/2 by 9 1/2 in.; 29.2 by 24.1 cm.

This composition is derived from an unlocated full length portrait of Lady Mary Robartes, Countess of Radnor, numerous versions of which have been attached to Sir Peter Lely (Anonymous sale, London, Phillips, 13 November 1990, lot 95 (as Attributed to Sir Peter Lely); Anonymous sale, London, Phillips, 19 November 1991, lot 11 (as Sir Peter Lely and Studio; Anonymous sale, London, Christie's, 11 April 1997, lot 2 (as Circle of Sir Peter Lely)).

Russel studied under Cornelius Johnson for nine years and later spent a year working with Anthony van Dyck. He specialized in making reduced copies of larger compositions which, as seen here, typically displayed elegant brushwork and a soft handling of the sitter's composition.