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.
Close examination of this painting reveals that the integrity of the artist’s technique remains apparent in the texture of the paint and in the rendering of the rich, silk velvets and wealth of costume detail. However, in general, the density of the present varnish and campaign of historic restoration prevents a clear assessment of the condition of the paint layer; this restoration is concentrated along historic cracks/joins and in a large loss in the central still life.
The panel has a jammed cradle with additional wooden buttons adhered along the length of cracks in the central right side and in the upper left corner [verso]. These cracks have formed since the cradle was attached. Exposed, original dowels between the panel joins reveal that the panel was thinned prior to cradling. On the surface of the painting in a raking light, three horizontal panel joins, small, established cracks and restored losses are visible: in the proper left leg of the musician on the left and in a large area through the centre of the painting.
The paint has been applied in well-bound painterly layers over a pale coloured ground layer. The energy in the application of the brushwork remains appreciable, notably in the foliage and landscape. Glimpses of broad strokes of hatched under-drawing are visible through the translucent paint [for example: in the musicians legs and in the flesh-paint of the figures in the central right side]. There is oil paint restoration to the aforementioned losses, in broad bands along the joins and applied to strengthen the natural transparency of the original paint and slight abrasion of the upper glazes.
Ultra-violet fluorescence examination confirms the density of the aged varnish and confirms that all of the restoration, with the exception of the small area in the musician’s leg and isolated strengthening to the left edge, is historic, lying within or beneath the varnish.
The reproduction frame remains stable with numerous small chips and losses around the edges.
Print Report