Portrait of a lady, bust-length, in riding clothes, in a feigned oval

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 painting presents well in natural light, with the delicacy of modeling and the subtelties of tonal gradation fully appreciable. The canvas is unlined; it is held under tension and remans stable. There has been some thinning to the background, and there is a fine pattern of craquelure across the paint surface. Examination under UV light reveals some retouching to the background to the right of the sitter and some scattered retouching to the hat. There is a cloudy varnish that precludes a more in depth examination.