And all generations shall call her blessed

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 Fine Art Conservation in the Christie's warehouse for the purposes of this sale:

UNCONDITIONAL AND WITHOUT PREJUDICE
Structural Condition

The canvas has been lined onto what is evidently the original keyed wooden stretcher and this
is ensuring a sound and secure structural support.

Paint surface
The paint surface has a matt and rather uneven varnish layer and should respond very well to
cleaning and revarnishing, giving far more depth to the composition. Areas of retouching are
visible in natural light, particularly in the darker clouds along the upper horizontal framing
edge, having become more glossy than the surrounding varnish layers. This could be resolved
by cleaning and revarnishing.

Inspection under ultraviolet light shows a number of retouchings along the lower horizontal
framing edge and within the steps in the foreground. There is also a thin diagonal line running
down from near to the centre of the upper horizontal framing edge and into the sky which is
approximately 10 cm in length and an area measuring approximately 1 x 3.5 cm in the sky, just
to the right of the central pillar. These retouchings are visible in natural light having slightly
discoloured. There are other scattered retouchings.

Summary
The painting would therefore appear to be in essentially good and stable condition and should
benefit from cleaning, restoration and revarnishing including the removal of old discoloured
retouchings and their replacement with more minimal inpainting which would only be visible
under ultraviolet light.