Jean-Baptiste Greuze

S.M. Dodd, Saint Louis, before 1885;
Possibly M. Someville;
Lillie B. Randell, London;
By whom given to the Saint Louis Art Museum, 1926 (acc no. 74.26);
By whom sold, New York, Gimbel Brothers, 4 May 1945, lot 104 (as Attributed to Greuze, and sold as a pair with a Head of a Girl).

The canvas has an old glue relining which is in well preserved. The paint surface overall appears in good condition though a little dirty beneath a slightly yellowed varnish, as is visible from the catalogue image, and would benefit from a light clean. There are two old retouched losses of approximately 1/4 in. at the upper edge which are now discolored. The surface is very slightly pressed in the darks of the hair though the painting still reads well. An accurate reading under UV is impeded by the rather milky varnish though there appears to be an old, filled loss or hole of approximately 1 1/2 in. above the ear at right and possibly another smaller one of approx 1 in. in the hair at the left side. Offered in a carved gilt wood frame with some minor nicks and losses.
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.

In its stoic and linear approach not often seen in works by Greuze, this Portrait of a Boy is a characteristic late work by the artist. It corresponds to a group of somber male portraits that Greuze executed during the French Revolution in the 1790's, commissions encouraged through the support of Jacques-Louis David. His Portrait of Jean-Nicolas Billaud-Varenne (Dallas Museum of Art, acc. no. 1961.105) is a similarly composed work from this moment that engages the viewer with a direct gaze and more tightly drawn technique. 

We are grateful to Edgar Munhall for supporting the attribution to Greuze, based on first hand inspection, and for his assistance in the cataloguing of this lot. Mr. Munhall's full written report is available upon request.