Louis Hubner fl.1740-1769

The painting is less red in tone than it appears in the catalogue illustration. The canvas has been stiffly relined. There is considerable strengthening to the background, foreground, trees upper right and to the darks throughout the painting. The birds are for the most part quite well preserved: there are some local retouchings on the goose as well as strengthening to its black eye and the line of its beak; a few retouchings are visible on the speckled front of the other bird as well as to the dark plumes of the cockerel behind. There is a repaired zigzag-shaped tear on the tree upper left. The paint surface overall is a little thin, but there appear to be no significant damages other than the aforementioned repaired tear. Restoration has been done quite recently and is not immediately obvious to the naked eye. The modern gold-painted wood frame has minor chips. LT*
"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."

Hubner was born in Berlin but he settled in Norwich in 1740,  He stayed for the rest of his life, maintaining a successful practice as a still life painter.