John Hayls (British, 1600-1679). Pair of 17th century portraits "Michael Warton Esq. Son in Law of John first Lord Poulett" and "Susanna daughter of John first Lord Poulett and Wife of Michael Warton Esq. of Beverly in Yorkshire", oil on canvas, each inscribed to lower right or left "Hales pint". A pair of formal portrait paintings each depicting one of a couple from the noble class of 17th and 18th century Great Britain comprising Susanna standing turned slightly to left wearing a deep blue and pale blue silk gown off the shoulder with a string of large pearls to her throat, drop earrings to each ear, and a jeweled headpiece in her dark curled hair, the figure reaching one hand to grasp a fruit on tray carried by a finely dressed black girl at left adorned in rich red silk dress with golden jewels to her neck and ears; and Michael standing turned slight to right in mirrored stance to his wife and wearing light armor and tied lace collar with his left hand perched on a stone and right arm bent forward with hand clutching a cylindrical wooden handle, the figure set before a dark rocky outcropping covered in moss with colorful landscape in view to right. Female portrait inscribed lower right "Susanna daughter of John first Lord Poulett and Wife of Michael Warton Esq of Beverly in Yorkshire Hales Pint". Male portrait inscribed lower left "Michael Warton Esq Son in law of John first Lord Poulett Hales Pint". Each portrait in a finely carved and gilt wood frame with beaded, gadrooned, and egg & dart bands. Each framed approximately 53" x 42.5". Unframed approximately 47.75" x 36.5". Provenance: From the Estate of Henry G. Muecke Jr., Atlanta, Georgia. Note: Susanna (b. pre-1649), daughter of John 1st Baron Poulett (1585-1549) and Elizabeth (daughter of Christopher Ken of Ken-Court) married Michael Warton Esquire (1623-1688) circa 1646, Michael being the son of Sir Michael Warton (1593-1645) (who died in the Great Siege of Scarborough Castle) and Catherine Maltby, co-heiress of Christopher Maltby of Maltby-in-Cleveland.

Each painting overall exhibiting craquelure commensurate with age as well hazy green varnish layer apparent under black light examination. Michael - Painting has been relined with the relining layer exhibiting some areas of fraying. Verso of painting with rectangular patch corresponding to Y-shaped tear to recto on subject's left shoulder, tear approximately 2.25" tall. Recto with repaired linear tear near bicep of subject's left arm, approximately 6" long, this being the most significant repair to work. Small loss to neck scarf (approx. 1mm) and scattered minor losses (all approx. 1mm or less) to right of shoulder in cloudscape - these visible without black light. Minor repaired frame rubbing to each side of canvas. 1.75" tall linear repaired tear to subject's left elbow, with in painting. 5 very minor areas of in painting to subject's face: 3 on chin, 1 on eyebrow, 1 on forehead - all less than 1mm. In painting to hair curls at left of neck scarf. Scattered in painting to sky at right, mostly crack in-filling. Small areas of in painting to left of right arm and below hand apparently in repair of minor abrasions. Minor rippling of canvas at upper left. Paint layer stable. Susanna - Painting has been relined. No apparent in painting. Minor paint losses to hand, on decolletage, and to upper left background - these visible without black light and averaging approximately 2mm in size. Paint layer stable. Frame rubbing apparent to each canvas edge commensurate with frame's inner perimeter. Minor canvas rippling apparent along upper edge.