The Dee at Balmoral

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.

THIS CONDITION REPORT HAS BEEN PREPARED BY HAMISH DEWAR FINE ART CONSERVATION,
IN THE CHRISTIE'S WAREHOUSE FOR THE PURPOSE OF THIS SALE.

Structural Condition
The canvas is unlined and is inscribed on the reverse. There are, almost inevitably for an
unlined canvas of this period, some raised lines of craquelure which should ideally be locally
secured and reduced. It is obviously most encouraging to find the canvas in it's original
unlined state and I am confident that the craquelure could be reduced and secured without
having to resort to lining.

Paint Surface
The paint surface has an even and discoloured varnish layer and should respond well to
cleaning and revarnishing. Inspection under ultraviolet light shows a number of areas to
fluoresce unevenly, such as some lines in the darker shadows in the lower left of the
composition. It is difficult to be certain as to whether these, and other areas, are retouchings,
but in my opinion appear to be artist's alterations and original pigments rather than later
retouchings by another hand.

Summary
The painting would therefore appear to be in very good condition and should respond well to
localised structural consolidation of the lines of craquelure and cleaning and revarnishing.