John Opie, R.A.

By descent from the sitter.

The picture is lighter in tone and the colours are fresher than the caalogue illustration would suggest. The canvas has been lined. The paint surface is in good overall condition with no apparent damage or loss of paint however the paint is naturally thinnner in the darker pigments due to the relining. Under a raking light there is evidence of some sympathetic retouching to old frame abrasion lower left and to the background around and in his right cheek. Examination under ultraviolet confirms the aforementioned retouchings and reveal further very minor cosmetic flecks of retouching in the background, hair and clothes. There is also very minor cosmetic infilling to old stabilised cracking in the face and a circular area of craquelure in the hair. There is also relining to what may be an old restored horizontal area of damage in the background centre left however this is hard make out and does not in any way compormise the the picture. Overall the picture is in good ready to hang condition. Offered in a gilt wood and plaster frame in good condition.
"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."

The sitter was the son of Dr. Thomas Monro (1759-1833), patron and physcian of J.M.W. Turner. Enrolling as a student at the Royal Academy in 1806, he became student President and exhibited a drawing of his father at the Academy in 1811 (no. 330) before his premature death in 1814 at the age of twenty three.