A peacock, chickens, pigeons and other birds in a landscape

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 canvas is reinforced on the reverse with a glue lining. The varnish is cloudy and yellowed with surface accretions and the paint stable on the support. A fine craquelure is visible in natural light. Scattered scuffing due to frame abrasion is visible along the edges. Several areas of discolored retouching are visible in natural light around the branches in the sky at upper left and in the green foliage at center left. Some of the blue pigments appear to have blanched over time, causing a certain flatness in places like the peacock’s neck and head. The old varnish layer fluoresces green but does confirm the presence of these more recent areas of retouching as well as further scattered strengthening of feathers, branches and elements in the foreground. Restoration along several short tears or punctures also fluoresces in the upper right quadrant of the painting, the most significant of which are an approximately 3 inch L-shaped tear in the urn just to the left of the peacock’s neck and a tear of similar length along the upper right edge. The painting would likely respond well to a sensitive conservation treatment.