A 400-year-old portrait of a regally-dressed child during the era of Charles I could fetch 20,000 pounds (over $24,000) at auction after being found hidden away in a cottage.
The forgotten painting from 1626 was left hanging behind an open door for several decades as the owner had no room to store it at his property in Surrey, UK.
It depicts an unknown wealthy child, aged around 18 months to 2 years old, dressed head to toe in lavish formal attire, making her look like a “miniature adult.”
The striking 396-year-old portrait was uncovered by an antiques expert during a house clearance following the death of its owner.
It is expected to fetch between 18,000-20,000 pounds when it goes under the hammer at Hansons Auctioneers in London on January 28.
“I was surprised to find such a compelling portrait hidden away,” said Chris Kirkham, associate director at Hansons London.
“However, I discovered there was a reason for it. The keen collector who acquired it had downsized some years before and brought all of his much-loved antiques with him.
“His collection included several paintings which were hung on much smaller walls than they had originally been intended for.”
The collector had struggled to find display space and the little girl, in all her finery, got tucked away behind a door.
“Sadly, the collector passed away and this centuries-old work was forgotten,” Kirkham said.
“The vendor’s late father had an intellectual appreciation of antiques.
“When she showed me around the house to assess some of his acquisitions she admitted she’d forgotten about the portrait.”
As the door was almost always left open, the picture had been blocked from view. Kirkham just happened to move it.
“Thank goodness I did,” he said. "Such is its importance this portrait will go to auction in January with a guide price of 18,000-20,000 pounds.”
The unidentified child is wearing an elaborate, full-length, embroidered, black and cream dress with exquisite detailing and a stiff, wide collar edged in lace.
A matching hat fits snugly on her head and she wears a necklace of red beads bearing a large cross and pearl with matching beads around her wrists.
Her expensive outfit is also enhanced by a silver chain across her body which leads to a beaked object clasped in her hand.
The seller, who did not want to be named, said, “This discovery is all credit to my father. He was an eccentric and a collector of all types of antiques and curios.
“He had a really good eye for unusual objects and art. It offered him a hobby away from his working life as a farmer.
“We think he may have purchased the painting at auction many years ago but can’t be sure.”
The painting had been displayed and enjoyed in their family home for many years.
“Sadly, we have lost my father and the time has to come to part with a few items,” they said.
The portrait bears the name Adriaen Verkins, which is possibly Dutch, and is dated 1626 when Charles I (1600–1649) was king of England, Scotland, and Ireland.
He lavished money on the arts and invited artists such as Van Dyck and Rubens to work in England.
Belgian Sir Anthony van Dyck (1599-1641) was a Brabantian Flemish Baroque artist who became the leading court painter in England.
He was renowned for his portraits of royals and members of noble families including their children.
Fellow Flemish artist Sir Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640), from the Netherlands, was also renowned for portraits of royalty.
He is considered the most influential artist of the Flemish Baroque tradition.
Kirkham said, “It is likely their work influenced the Baroque portrait we have uncovered.
“Royalty dictate trends and a wealthy family would have commissioned this painting to emulate the grand portraits of the time.
He added that the child’s ornate outfit emphasized the family’s wealth and status.
Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons London, said, “It is remarkable what we find hidden away in homes—often forgotten and, in this case, behind a door.
“Collectors fill their homes with so many wonderful items over the course of decades, it is easy to lose sight of which ones may be of special significance.
“When you look into this little girl’s eyes you are swept back to the early 17th century.”
While the poor wore rags, fashion at the time for the rich was showy and laden with ornamentation. Adornments of jewelry, lace, and rich, contrasting fabrics displayed wealth.
“This portrait is a remarkable find,” Hanson said. “It is like a time capsule offering an insight into the life of a wealthy child, bedecked in all her finery, centuries ago.”
