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Description Gilbert Jackson
British fl. 1622 - 1640
Portrait of Sir Norton Knatchbull Bt. (1569-1636), and his wife Mary Westrow, née Aldersey (d. 1674)
dated, centre:?Anno. 1629; and inscribed upper left and right: ?tatis.60. / ?tatis.40.;
later inscribed, centre:?Sr: Norton Knatchbull Kt.?/ obt.1636.?/?The Widow Westrow / his 3d Wife.; and inscribed below: Arctius corda
oil on canvas, in a fine frame with a split pediment
94.1 x 131.1 cm.
Condition Report The canvas is lined, and the paint surface is relatively clean with a slightly discoloured varnish. Inspection under ultraviolet light reveals the old, milky varnish underneath which there appears to be very little intervention: a handful of tiny spots in the faces and collars of both sitters, as well as a spot in the left side of his hat, and some fine lines of wash retouching in the her hair and hat as well as very sparsely scattered in their costumes. There may be some older, minor retouching in their hands but this is difficult to read underneath the varnish. The painting appears in overall very good condition.
"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?hall;
Catalogue of Portraits, 1920, no. 62.
H. Avray Tipping, ‘Mersham le Hatch’,
Country Life, 8 August 1925, photographed in the drawing room, p. 220;
H. Avray Tipping,
English Homes, Late Georgian, 1760-1820, London 1926, p. 132;
C. Hussey,
English Country Houses, Mid Georgian 1760-1800, London 1984, p. 104.
Notes Sir Norton Knatchbull was the third son of Richard Knatchbull and his wife Susan Greene (see lot 107). He was educated at St. John’s College, Cambridge, and entered the Middle Temple in 1588. In 1593 he unexpectedly inherited the family estates, and set about improving their value by draining land in Romney Marsh. He was knighted in 1604, and was returned as M.P. for Hythe in 1609, the first member of his family to enter parliament. He was married three times: firstly to Anne Wentworth, daughter of the Puritan Paul Wentworth; secondly to Bridget, daughter of John Astley of Maidstone, Master of the Royal Jewel House and a cousin of Anne Boleyn (see lot 108); and thirdly to Mary, daughter of John Aldersey of Spurstow, Cheshire and Bergen Hall, Essex.
This fine portrait, painted in 1629, shows him with his third wife, widow of the City Alderman Thomas Westrow. The Latin inscription on the portrait ‘Arctius corda’ is translated as ‘tighter hearts’. Following Sir Norton’s death in 1636, the family estates passed to his nephew. After her husband’s death Mary married Edward Scott of Scot's Hall, M.P. for Kent (1626) and Hythe (1628).
A related full-length portrait of Sir Norton hangs at Breamore House.1
1 http://www.breamorehouse.com/page83.html