Pierre-Antoine Patel the Younger

Lida Gallery, San Francisco (according to a label on the reverse)

"The following condition report has been provided by Henry Gentle, an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. The original canvas has been lined in order to consolidate horizontal tears running through the central cloud, through the arches of the bridge and on in to the heads of the figures to the left, to the sky upper left and an L-shaped tear lower right. These tears have been restored but are proud of the canvas. There are some restorations to small losses along the bottom edge and, under ultraviolet light, a further scattering of minor restorations can be seen across the surface along with the remains of an older varnish in the trees and the darker passages. Significant areas of the painting are well preserved, however. An appreciable tonal improvement would be gained with the removal of the varnish. Offered in a modern gilt wood frame in good condition."
"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."

Like his celebrated father Pierre Patel, with whom he is often confused, Pierre-Antoine specialised in classical landscapes with ruins bathed in warm light. The gently receding diagonal framed by ruins on one side and by trees on the other is typical of his oeuvre: compare for example a similar work sold Sotheby's, London, 3 July 1997, lot 76, for £110, 000.