German School, 19th Century

Commissiond directly from the artist by the family;

Thence by descent.

The pictures are darker in tone and both richer and more yellow in colour than the catalogue illustration would suggest. All appear to be unlined and all are oval canvases in matching gold painted rectangular wood frames with gold oval slips. The first (illustrated top left in the catalogue) is in good overall condition wth no apparent damage or loss of paint. There is surface dirt and varnish overall and some old minor scattered retoucings visible in the background under a raking light. The canvas is slightly loose on the stretcher. Examination under ultraviolet reveals retouching to the afoeementioned areas and a few minor additonal retouches as well as infilling to craquelure centre right. The second (top right) is in good overall condition although the paint is a bit thin in the background centre right but otherwie it is fine and there is a nice impasto in the white. Examination under ultraviolet reveals some minor scattered cosmetic retouching to the background. The third (lower left) reveals scattered retouching in the background and the paint is thin in places. There is a small 2 in. horizontal scratch lower centre. Examination under ultraviolet light reveals some additional minor retouching to the background and to the darker pigments of the costume. The fourth (lower right) is in good overall condition. Examination under ultraviolet reveals a few very minor flecks of cosmetic retouching but otherwise it is in good overall 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."

Count Christian Louis Casimir of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Ludwigsburg married as his first wife in 1763, Countess Amalie Ludowika Finck von Finckenstein and together they had seven children including Count Ludwig Adolf Peter of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Ludwigsburg, who had a distinguished military career in the Napoleonic wars becoming a Field Marshall, and commander of the Russian army in the war against Turkey. In 1798 he married Countess Antonio Cäcilie Snarska, and together they had eleven children.