Attribution to England or Netherlands based on the style of the pastel portrait, as well as the Dutch watermark on the paper. The French paper maker Villedary was producing paper in Netherlands that was widely used in Dutch and English markets.
Date
1750-1765
Mark/Signature/Inscription/Label
Type: Signature
Location: lower left spandrel
Inscription: "Saunders"
Mark/Signature: Yes
Subject(s)
Portrait
Materials
Pastel
Paper (laid)
Canvas
Graphite
Techniques
Drawn
Stump
Brush
Construction Description
Pastel over red chalk drawing
Dimensions (inches)
21.1 (H) x 17.5 (W) x 1.7 (D) x 16.4 (Image H) x 12.4 (Image W)
Dimensions (centimeters)
53.7 (H) x 44.5 (W) x 4.2 (D) x 41.6 (Image H) x 31.6 (Image W)
Measurement Notes
H, W, D refer to framed image. Image H,W measurements taken by Betty Fiske
Edition Watermark
"IV" --Jean Villedary of Hattem, Holland
Edition Notes
Jean Villedary (Watermark used 1668-1758 and 1758-1812): The name or initials of Jean Villedary as watermarks cover a period of 150 years. The initials IV of Jean Villedary appear on a great deal of books and M.S.S. in the public archives and libraries of England and Holland. They also appear with the names and watermarks of Lubatus van Gesreviak, C and I Honig, Adriaan Rogge and Van der Ley. The intials I.V. and L.V.G. together have been found on paper dated from 1736 to 1812. It is not known whether Villedary worked in conjunction with the other Dutch paper makers, or whether they made use of his initials, which had become a hall-mark of excellence.