When the painting was exhibited at the Royal Academy it was accompanied with a quote from an issue of Spectator: "Mr Spectator, - Women are armed with fans as men with swords, and sometimes do more execution with them. To the end, therefore, that ladies may be entire mistresses of the weapon they bear, I have erected an academy for the training up of young women in the exercise of the fan, according to the most fashionable airs and motions that are now practised at court." - Spectator, No. 102.
Related Articles
Sorry, we are unable to display this content. Please check your connection.
You have agreed to be bound by the Conditions of Sale and if your bid is successful, you are legally obliged to pay for the lot you have won. The purchase price for a successful bid will be the sum of your final bid plus a buyer’s premium, any applicable taxes and any artist resale royalty, exclusive of shipping-related expenses.
Condition report
A Christie's specialist may contact you to discuss this lot or to notify you if the condition changes prior to the sale.
The condition of lots can vary widely and the nature of the lots sold means that they are unlikely to be in a perfect condition. Lots are sold in the condition they are in at the time of sale.
The canvas has an old lining and is on the original stretcher which is providing good support. There are some areas of old frame abrasion at the edges with a few minor associated chips and losses. There is some craquelure and a vertical line of cracking along the left and right hand edges. There is a C shaped scratch to the left hand woman's dress in the lower left quadrant of the picture which has some visible restoration to the bottom half (which also fluoresces under UV)
Under UV light there a thick layer of a dirty and uneven varnish which makes reading the canvas difficult. There maybe a few small areas of old restoration but these are difficult to see clearly. The dirty varnish might benefit from a light clean.
Cost calculator
Lot 81Sale 18879
Academy for instruction in the discipline of the fan, 1711ABRAHAM SOLOMON (BRITISH, 1824-1862)Estimate: GBP 8,000 - 12,000
Enter your bid amount for an estimated cost
Bid amount
Please enter numbers onlyAmount must be higher than the starting bidAmount must be higher than the current bid
Buyer's premium
Loss, damage and liability
Shipping
Estimated Excise Duty
Artist Resale Royalty
Estimated total cost exclusive of customs duties/charges and tariffs