About this lot
Description
Manner of Meindert Hobbema (Dutch, 1638-1709) Landscape with walkers on a wooded track oil on panel 35 x 43cm (14 x 17in)
Provenance: Mrs R A Parsons and by descent to the late Sir Richard Parsons Other Notes: Sir Richard Edmund Clement Fownes Parsons (1928-2016) This sale includes selected items from the collection of the late Sir Richard Parsons, removed from his Norfolk home. Sir Richard Parsons was a career diplomat, and through the 1970s and 1980s he was successively British Ambassador to Hungary, Spain and Sweden. During the late 1960s and early 1970s he had postings to Ankara and Lagos, as well as periods in London. In 1976 he was appointed ambassador to Hungary. He was the Ambassador to Sweden from 1984 to 1987, after which he left the Diplomatic Service and settled in King's Lynn, Norfolk. In his retirement he focused on his writing and at the town's literary festival gave talks about his diplomatic adventures. Notable pieces from this collection are the wonderful Madonna and Child by the Master of San Miniato (lot 106) and the rare miniature by Isaac Oliver of Sir Richard Parsons' ancestor, Thomas Fones, who was Mayor of Plymouth (lot 161). Also of note are the vibrant watercolours by his grandfather, Alfred Parsons, RA (lots 85-88) which demonstrate the family's artistic leanings in addition to their passion for collecting. Lots 59, 62, 63, 65, 83, 130, 134, 161-165 are also from this estate. In our March 2019 Fine Art sale we will offer a Grand Tour portrait of his ancestor Edward Curtis of Mardyke House, Hotwells, Bristol, by Marco Benefial (Italian, 1684 - 1764) together with the embroidered silk waistcoat the sitter is wearing (please refer to the advertisement at the beginning of this catalogue).
Under glass. Cradled. Old Christie's stencils - 346 GT and AJ 569. Oil on panel which has been reinforced on the reverse with a cradle. There is flaking and loss along the top edge of the panel following the woodgrain of the panel. There is extensive retouching in the darker paint passages which covers areas of abrasion and drying cracks. The varnish has yellowed and is patchy and uneven. The frame is in a good condition, the glazing is very dusty both inside and out.
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