Signed, dated and inscribed in lower right painted spandrel: VHooren fecit / 1651 [VH in ligature]

J. Fletcher Gallery, Houston, Texas; Private collection, acquired from the above, 1982.

Isaack Jacobsz. van Hooren (Dutch, active 1620-1652) Portrait of a Protestant minister, half-length, in a feigned oval, 1651 Oil on panel 29 x 23-1/2 inches (73.7 x 59.7 cm) Signed, dated, and inscribed in painted spandrel, lower right: VHooren fecit / 1651 [VH in ligature] PROVENANCE: J. Fletcher Gallery, Houston, Texas; Private collection, acquired from the above, 1982. Born in Hoorn, the artist is documented in Amsterdam between 1642, when he married for the first time, and his death a decade later, in 1652. The present work dates from his Amsterdam period. HID12401132022 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved

On cradled oak panel support. Panel displays slight convex bowing, most apparent in the corners. Frame abrasion at edges. Yellowing to the varnish layer. Finely patterned craquelure throughout with a few instances of more pronounced vertical cracking. Scattered small dots of abrasion and minor loss. Surface dirt and dust, primarily appearing as whiteish accretions affecting the lower half of the work. Not examined out of frame. Under UV: heavily applied varnish fluoresces green unevenly, somewhat obscuring the picture surface. At least two campaigns of restoration are visible, appearing above and below the varnish layer. Both campaigns are comprised of brushy retouching throughout the background and the sitter's costume. A few more finely applied dots and dashes of retouching to the figure's face. Framed Dimensions 34.5 X 29 X 2 Inches