Jean Voille

Palazzo Stroganoff, Rome.

T. Taneyew, 'Voille and Viollier' in Gazette des Beaux-Arts, February 1959, pp. 107, 112.

The canvas has an old sensitive relining and the paint surface appears to be in good condition but for some very minor old retouching visible in the sitter's forehead. A somewhat yellow varnish predominates overall. Inspection under UV and reveals some very minor old strengthening to the curls and costume as well as some very minor scattered retouching in the background. There is some very minor retouching to an old vertical stretcher bar mark in the centre running from the sitter's forehead to his nose. Offered in an elegant period carved gilt wood frame with a handful of small surface cracks.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Voille painted a portrait of Paul Alexandrovich Stroganoff as a young aide-de-camp to Potemkin in 1787, and here the young sitter wears the uniform of an aide-de-camp identifiable by the braided aiguillette on his left shoulder.