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Description English School, 1561
Portrait of Robert Robins (1473-1561)
inscribed upper centre and centre right: ROBYNS OF NETHR HOLME?/ COWNTY WORCESTER?/??TATIS.?SU?. /.86.;?dated centre left: .Ano?DNI / .1561.;?and charged with his coat of arms, upper left
oil on panel
46.4 x 32.9 cm.
Condition Report The panel is uncradled, flat and stable. The varnish is slightly discoloured. There is a vertical join (supported by a batten on the reverse) approx. 8cm. in from the right margin, which is visible under raking light and has associated retouchings. There is a paint loss in the sitter's hat (visible in the catalogue illustration). Further small retouchings are visible scattered throughout, notably in the upper section of the composition. These are most visible under raking light and appear to be areas where paint has flaked off in the past. There are also some spots where the paint surface is tenting but appears stable. Inspection under ultraviolet light confirms the aforementioned retouchings and further reveals cosmetic retouching scattered throughout, notably in the background and the sitter's clothes, as well as a more concentrated square in the lower left corner.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Literature Inventory, 1749, in the 'Stewards Room';
Catalogue of Portraits, 1920,?no. 76;
A.T. Bolton, ‘Mersham le Hatch’,?
Country Life, 26 March 1921, photographed in?the hall, p. 370;?
H. Avray Tipping, ‘Mersham le Hatch’,?
Country Life, 8 August 1925, in situ, p. 219;
H. Avray Tipping,
English Homes, Late Georgian, 1760-1820, London 1926, in situ, p. 124.
Notes The sitter was born in the turbulent year of 1473 when the War of the Roses still raged, though Henry VI had died in the Tower of London and the Yorkist King, Edward VI, was more firmly established on the throne. Remarkably Robins was to live through the reigns of six further monarchs, witnessing the change of dynasty to the Tudors and the Reformation that so altered English society.
The Robins family came from northwest of Worcester with lands at Stockton on Teme; it seems, though, that they were largely based in London. The sitter's kinsman, probably a son or brother, Thomas Robins was buried at St Clement Eastcheap in the city in 1565 and left instructions in his Will for the provision of 20 shillings for the parishioners of Stockton 'to make them a drinking together at the house of my brother Humphrey Robins in remembrance of me.' The arms that are emblazoned on this portrait were granted to John Robins by Garter King of Arms, Sir Christopher Baker, between 1536-50. This, and the rich fur collar worn by Robins suggested that the family were one of the merchant class that had thrived under the Tudors.