Portrait of the artist, bust length, 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 canvas is unlined; it is held under tension and remains stable. The oval on which the portrait was executed was subsequently sewn into a wider canvas making the composition up to a rectangle. The loosely executed composition presents well in natural light. There is a fine pattern of craquelure across the surface. The paint remains stable. Examination under UV light reveals some minor retouching in the sitter's moustache, his proper left eye and along his hair line. There is an historic varnish that has been selectively cleaned from the sitter's face but remains on the background.