Aesop telling a Fable

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.

Oil on canvas
The canvas has been relined.
The paint layer appears to be secure and stable
The painted surface has an uneven varnish layer which is slightly discoloured.
There is a fine pattern of surface craquelure visible.
Examination under UV light shows a few small touches of inpainting to the sky, inpainting to the lower right quadrant to address vertical lines relating to the stretcher bars. There is a thin line of restoration leading from the right heel of the recumbent figure to the frame edge.
Other spots of inpainting to the far left-hand group of figures are noticeable in the chest of the left hand figure wearing a hat. There is also a square of inpainting to the figure wearing white.
There are possibly at least two campaigns of restoration, the earlier of which may have addressed shrinkage in the darker pigments.
The work is presented in gold painted slip frame.