Jean-Baptiste Huet

The following condition report has been provided by Simon Parkes of Simon Parkes Art Conservation, Inc. 502 East 74th St. New York, NY 212-734-3920, simonparkes@msn.com , an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. This painting on panel is in good condition and has recently been restored. Some frame abrasion running down the right side has been retouched and above the standing figures' heads, a restoration has been applied which enters the forehead of the woman in green. This is an isolated restoration perhaps attending to an old break in the panel. A few other tiny spots of retouch are visible around the edges but in general, the condition is healthy.
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.

Jean-Baptiste Hüet entered the studio of Leprince in 1764. He was also a pupil and friend of François Boucher, producing works in collaboration with the latter who introduced him to the Rococo movement. Hüet tried his hand at animal paintings, taking his father as a model, at landscapes and genre paintings. In 1769, he was received into the Royal Academy as an animal painter. He became very popular among Parisians, and it was not unusual for even the paintings he exhibited at the Salon to be commissioned works.

Although Hüet is best known today as a painter of animals and pastorales, he also showed great interest in depicting historical scenes. The present painting is largely representative of the style of the 18^th century in France, mixing antique and contemporary details in the same composition: the figures are dressed as Romans but have chubby faces and pearly complexions as the beauties from Versailles.