Rudolf Ernst

Restoration in the left lower part of the painting ; few small losses along the frame and also in the chain of the kashkul (censer) toward the top left ; few retouches, maybe by the artist himself (teapot upper left, on the headscarf and the costume of the left figure, on the merchant face, on his costume and on the carpet he hold, around the feet of the woman in blue, in the left and right backs) ; some parts of the varnish seem to have been remove. The signature is in the pictural matter while the dedication seems to have been added later, strengthen our restorer hypothesis who think that the painter did the retouches and add the dedication when he offered it ; the painting would benefit of a light restoration and homogeneously varnish.
"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."

Un marchand présente un tapis à deux potentielles acheteuses. Le marché couvert est calme, l'absence de lumière naturelle est compensée par l'éclat des couleurs des textiles. L'éventuel achat semble davantage meubler le temps que répondre à un besoin pressant. La scène est paisible et l'atmosphère chaleureuse.

Figure incontournable de l'école orientaliste autrichienne, Rudolf Ernst étudia aux Beaux-Arts de Vienne avant de s'installer définitivement à Paris. En 1885, sa rencontre avec Osman Hamdi Bey, élève de Gérôme, marqua un tournant dans son travail qu'il consacra alors aux sujets orientalistes. Ernst voyagea beaucoup au Moyen-Orient. Ses oeuvres orientalistes réunissent savamment architecture, textiles, et personnages, aux couleurs aussi lumineuses que riches et aux détails aussi réjouissants que réalistes.
Roger-Milès fut homme de lettre, avocat, critique d'art. Il fonda Le Monde Poétique et collabora à plusieurs revues, notamment le Figaro illustré et la Revue des Deux Mondes.