Lot 133: 18th C. Portrait Attrib. Van Loo, Duchesse de Luynes

Attributed to Carle aka Charles Andre van Loo (French, 1705-1765) or his brother, Jean Baptiste van Loo (French, 1684-1795), portrait of a young woman in three quarter perspective, possibly the Duchesse de Luynes of France. The subject is seated in a chair in an outdoor setting, and holding a bouquet of red flowers. She wears a gold gown with ornate jeweled bodice and a red wrap that matches the red ribbon in her hair. Unsigned. Housed in an antique, deeply carved and gilt wood Louis XV style frame with plaque attributing the painting to Carl(e) Van Loo and naming the subject as the Duchesse de Luynes, center. 20th c. partial paper label for Edw___ , Rue de __Paris, en verso. Pencil inscription “School of Van Loo” to frame. Sight: 39 1/2 in. H x 29 in. W. Frame: 52 in. H x 41 1/2 in. W. Note: Marie Brulart, the Duchesse de Lunes (c. 1684-1763) attended her close friend Marie Leszczynska, queen and consort of Louis XV, from 1735-1763. The apparent age of the woman in the painting would suggest if she is Marie Brulart (who was 30 in 1714, while Carle van Loo was just 9), the artist would more likely be Jean Baptiste van Loo. However, it is perhaps more possible that the painting depicts another of the women in Louis XV’s court circle such as one of the de Mailly-Nesle sisters. In this case the Carle Andre van Loo attribution on the label would be more appropriate. Biography: Carle and Jean-Baptiste van Loo were the grandsons of important Dutch painter Jacob van Loo. When their father died, Jean Baptiste van Loo took charge of the education of his brother, who was 21 years younger. The brothers moved to Rome in 1714, where Van Loo began his formal studies. Five years later, the brothers moved to Paris, where Carle assisted his brother on various painting commissions. They also traveled elsewhere in Europe, but from 1733, Carle van Loo lived in Paris, where he painted portraits of the royal family and produced works for their private apartments at Fontainebleau and Versailles. Jean Baptiste van Loo relocated to England in 1737 but returned to Paris in 1742 in failing health and died three years later. 

PROVENANCE:

Estate of a longtime Nashville, Tennessee collector.

CONDITION:

Lined. UV light inspection shows a 2 in. repair to upper right quadrant near subject’s hair, and a larger repaired tear in the area of subject’s right arm. Scattered small spots of retouch including to subject’s cheek and to background. Frame, 19th century or earlier, has several spots of wear and restoration. Some gilding loss to upper edge and corners.