Paintings in the Collection of Henry Clay Frick, 1915 [page 57]

Current Page Transcription

« previous page | next page » |

This transcription is now locked.

SIR ANTHONY VAN DYCK (1599-1641) MARGARETHA DE VOS, WIFE OF FRANZ SNYDERS Canvas, 50 inches by 37 inches

A LADY of fair complexion, represented in a three-quarter view, with the head inclining downwards; her dark hair is nearly concealed by a close white cap, and a broad, full ruff adorns the neck. She was the sister of Cornelius de Vos (1585-1651) the painter of historical pictures and portraits, and friend of Van Dyck. De Vos was also painted by Van Dyck.

The portrait is mentioned in Waagen's "Art Treasures fo Great Britain," III>, p. 213: —"The wife of Franz Snyders, in a white cap and a broad ruff. The handsome face is painted in his earlier style with great simplicity of feeling, in a very clear tone, resembling that of Rubens." Also mentioned in Smith's Catalogue Raisonne, III., 96. Also mentioned in Lionel Custs' "Anthony Van Dyck." Also mentioned in Burlington Mag., XVI., 301, by William Walton.

It is probable that this portrait was painted in 1621, at the same time as that of Franz Snyders. They both formed part of the collection fo the Duc d'Orleans, but when this was dispersed during the troublous times which followed the French Revolution, the portraits of Snyder and his wife were separated, the former going into the collection fo the Earl of Carlisle, and the present one into that of the Earl of Warwick—whose wife is the Henrietta Vernon of the Romney portrait in Mr. Frick's Collection. The portraits of Franz Snyders and his wife are now happily reunited after a century of separation, although at the Manchester Exhibition in 1857 they came together for a brief period.

57

You don't have permission to discuss this page.

Current Page Discussion