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Condition report
A Christie's specialist may contact you to discuss this lot or to notify you if the condition changes prior to the sale.
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 is supported on the reverse by a glue lining and is firmly secured to its stretcher. The paint layer is stable, although slightly dirty, under a varnish that has yellowed a bit with age. There is a fine craquelure across the surface, along which pinpoint losses are visible. Restorations to minimize the craquelure and repair small losses in the flesh tones are visible in natural light. A few holes in the canvas are visible in raking light, a small hole in sitter's neck measures 1 inch in diameter, a second at the point where the sitter's neck meets his chest measures 1/4 inch in diameter, and two in the dark background at upper right measure 2 inches and 3/4 inches, all of which have been delicately restored.
Inspection under ultraviolet light reveals the aforementioned restorations and reveals further touches in the sitter's clothing and a few strokes of strengthening in the curls of hair brushing the sitter's shoulder. The painting presents well, and could be hung in its present state. The repairs to the craquelure, although not distracting, could be revised to improve the image. The work is offered in a painted and gilt wood frame.
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Lot 35Sale 20997
A flute player - An Allegory of Hearing(?) FRENCH FOLLOWER OF CARAVAGGIO, 17TH CENTURYEstimate: USD 20,000 - 30,000
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