Mysterious portrait found in Oxfordshire sells for £71,000

The painting, which was discovered among the contents of a deceased estate in Oxfordshire, was auctioned on May 13 with the help of Adrian Rathbone, associate director at Kinghams Auctioneers in Moreton in Marsh, Gloucestershire.

It depicts a young lady, bust-length, dressed in an embroidered gown with a white ruff.

Although unsigned, specialists at Kinghams Auctioneers attributed the work to Dutch portraitist Paulus Moreelse (1571-1638).

During his lifetime, Mr Moreelse received numerous commissions across the Dutch Republic.

There was significant pre-sale interest from across the country and Europe.

With three telephone bidders and many more online, there was an intense bidding frenzy, with the painting eventually being snagged by an anonymous Dutch bidder on the phone, who paid a total of £71,000.

Mr Rathbone said: “Despite being unsigned, specialists at Kinghams Auctioneers attributed the work to revered Dutch painter Paulus Moreelse (1571-1638).

“Born and living most of his life in Utrecht, a pupil of Michiel Jansz van Miereveldt, Moreelse became a talented portrait painter.

“He received commissions across the Dutch Republic, with his earliest known work dating to 1606.”

Kinghams Auctioneers is now accepting paintings for inclusion in their Fine Art auction scheduled for July 22.

Entries must be received four weeks before the auction.

For more information, contact Mr Rathbone at adrian@kinghamsauctioneers.com or 01608 695695.