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.
We are grateful to Simon Parkes Art Conservation, Inc. for providing the following condition report (written communication 6 January 2023).
This work on canvas has a fairly recent lining, and the stretcher dates from the same period. The paint layer is stable and there is no reason to reexamine the lining. The painting is slightly dirty with a yellowed varnish. Nonetheless, it looks well.
Restorations have been added in the blue sky in the upper left, where some thinness or pentimenti had developed. There are two horizontal lines of restoration in the sky to the left of the helmet in the upper center, which may be associated with breaks in the canvas. A couple of other restorations can be seen in the sky beneath these lines. There is a group of retouches in the upper sky in the center, which were added to address some thinness in the blue color. Two other groups of retouches can be seen near the white cloud in the upper right and further towards the upper right corner. There is an area of restoration in the wall in the upper right, which may attend to a paint loss or possibly a small hole. A complex area of restoration has been added to address an old break in the canvas in the wall to the immediate left of the white-haired figure on the far right. Isolated restorations have been added throughout the figures in order to address small losses or patches of thinness. Some cracking has been retouched in the breastplate of the central figure in red. Restorations are visible above the outstretched right hand of the dying figure and in her brown robe, but the figure group on the right side is in otherwise good condition.
Considering the scale and period of the work, the restorations to this work are not numerous. This work would respond well to cleaning, or could easily be hung in its current state.
Print Report