Portrait of a Lady, Signed & Dated 1660; by Charles Wautier (1609-1703)

This work is an excellent example of the portraiture produced by Dutch and Flemish artists during the 17th century. Meticulously rendered, the sitter is half length, holding a cluster of flowers. The painting abounds with ingenious flourishes and demonstrations of the painter's skill and superior pictorial technique.

The sitter’s sumptuous dress, of the finest material, and the large diamond brooch alludes to her wealth and status as a privelaged individual. Around her neck and also intertwined around her forearms is the accessory par excellence – pearls – which no self respecting prosperous lady would go without. Wautier’s adeptness and painterly virtuosity are evident in the finely rendered facial features, hands, and clothing notably the white cuff which is spectacular. This work has been signed and dated by the artist “C Wautier Fecit 1660”. A very fine example (oil on canvas) from the period.

A painting of James II when Duke of York by Charles Wautier (purchased by Queen Elizabeth II for the Royal Collection, 14 April 1960) is held in the Throne Room, Palace of Holyroodhouse. Another example from the artist is held at Osterley Park and House, London.

Charles Wautier (or Woutiers) was from a very old and illustrious noble family from Mons Belgium. His father, also Charles, was seigneur de Ham-sur-Heure and secretary to the Viceroy of Naples. The artist had five brothers and two sisters. He moved to Brussels in 1640 with his younger sister Michaelina Wautier (Mons c.1614-1689) who was also an exemplary painter of portraits, scenes from daily life, and large-scale history paintings (it is clear Michaelina, although neglected by contemporary writers on art, must have been a respected artist in the context of the Brussels’s court and aristocracy). Charles and Michaelina never married, and they lived together in a stately town house near the church of Notre-Dame de la Chapelle.

Provenance: Julian Simon Fine Art, Pimlico Rd, London (31 Jan 1992); Property of a titled Lady

Measurements: Height 135cm, Width 107cm framed (Height 53”, Width 42” framed)

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