246: A CIRCA 16TH CENTURY MANNERIST SCHOOL OIL ON CANVAS

The portrait of a standing child figure, her body turned sharply in a twisting pose with billowing red cloak and holding a thin blue ribbon tied to the collar of a powerful Molossus type dog, to the figure's proper right is a second smaller dog and the background is a series of architectural views; the larger dog's collar bears partially visible lettering that includes what appears to be the surname Cornelius, there are no other signatures or markings. Displayed in an outstanding carved and gilded circa 17th century frame of tied laurel leaf carved from what appears to be walnut and in exceptionally high relief, the corners are dovetailed and joined by wood pegs, a forged iron hanger remains on the top crest. The painting measures 44.5 x 37 inches, the frame measures 52 x 44 inches.
Re-lined in 1935 according to written information on the canvas, the stretchers appear to be of that same period, UV light reveals one area of inpainting upper left, three areas lower left quadrant and scattered touch-up across the extreme bottom edge. The largest of these is a 3-inch repaired tear with corresponding 1 inch diameter area of in-painting. The unclear image of a smaller dog to the figure's proper right suggests that the painting was cleaned and perhaps detail was lost. The frame is very good and appears completely original in condition.
$2,000 - $3,000