Judith Leyster and Studio

The picture has a fairly new relining canvas. It appears dirty to the naked eye but no glaring losses are visible. The varnish is quite milky under UV light, rendering possible older retouches largely invisible. Some retouches are however visible in the craquelure, mostly focussed along the face of the sitter and just above the head. It appears that the vast majority of the paint is original and in tact. An initial cleaning test to see the condition underneath the varnish is recommended, but overall in its current state this seems to be in good condition. In a carved wooden frame.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The existence of a number of Leyster's copies after compositions by Frans Hals has led to the supposition that she may have worked in his studio prior to her marriage to Jan Miense Molenaer in 1636, a theory supported by her swift, painterly approach to figure painting.  The present work is reminiscent of Leyster's Violinist (Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond) where we encounter a similar unwieldy perspective in the depiction of the instrument, characteristic of that  artist.¹   The pose and expressive face of the musician; the head tilted back with an upward glance; the mouth ajar are devices typically employed by Leyster and betray her hand in this work. 

We are grateful to Frima Fox Hofrichter for supporting an attribution to Judith Leyster and Studio upon firsthand inspection of this work.  

1.  F. Fox Hofrichter, Judith Leyster, A Woman Painter in Holland's Golden Age, Doornspijk 1989, cat. no. 31, reproduced.