Studio of Diego Rodríguez de Silva y Velázquez Seville 1599 - 1660 Madrid

Acquired by an important French Manufacturer at the beginning of the twentieth century;
Thence by descent to the present owner.

"The following condition report has been provided by Henry Gentle, an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. The canvas is lined. There is a small 10cm horizontal tear, restored. There is also the presence of a restored horizontal damage (old stretcher mark or perhaps a canvas join). The paint surface is stable. There is discoloured retouching to the upper left and right of the composition covering old damage. Discoloured retouching can be seen in the sky to the right of the figure, to the torso and right shoulder of the figure, in the foliage behind his head, and to the face and hair where abrasion to the paint layer has occurred and canvas texture is visible. Thinly painted areas where the paint has been mildly abraded, the right sleeve and the lower right foreground, also show evidence of retouching. There is a discoloured varnish the removal of which would improve overall tonality."
"This lot is offered for sale subject to Sotheby's Conditions of Business, which are available on request and printed in Sotheby's sale catalogues. The independent reports contained in this document are provided for prospective bidders' information only and without warranty by Sotheby's or the Seller."

Velázquez's prototype for this work is in the Museo del Prado, Madrid (see J. López-Rey, Velázquez, vol. II, Cologne 1996, p. 154, cat. no. 63, reproduced).