AFTER JEAN-HONORÉ FRAGONARD | Le Verrou ("The Lock")

The canvas has been relined and is flat and stable. The colors are vibrant and details well-preserved, though some of the browns and darker areas appear thin, likely as they were originally painted in a thinner manner. Ultraviolet light reveals scattered inpainting throughout the canvas, mostly in the darker areas and background, with very little if any in the figures. There is evidence of an old tear in the upper left quadrant in the red curtain, about 6 by 6 inches, though it has been stabilized and no repainting or damage is visible to the naked eye. Overall the painting is in good condition and can be hung as is. Offered in a giltwood frame.
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.

This is a late eighteenth-century copy after Fragonard's famous composition Le Verrou, now in the Louvre, Paris (74 by 94 cm., inv. no. R.F. 1974-2).