French School, 18th Century

The catalogue illustration is representative for the actual painting. The canvas has a relining, which has flattened the paint layer a bit, but overall the painting is in a good condition, no damages are visible. There is a coarse craquelure pattern which has been retouched at some places, such as in the lower left. The paint surface is under a transparent, but slightly yellowed varnish layer, with some surface dirt. Inspection under UV-light reveals minor spots of retouching in the sky, in the flesh tones of the female figure upper right, in the red cloth of Mars and scattered spots in the lower left corner. Offered in a modern, brown wood frame, in good condition. (JD)
"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."

This highly decorative representation of Minerva and Mars previously hung in the collection of Schloss Diepenbrock.  

Originally Schloss Diepenbrock, in nowadays Westphalia, was a manorial farm (havezathe) that fell under the feudal estate of Arnhem in the 14th Century. It was recorded for the first time in 1326 when it came in the possession of the Lord von Diepenbrock. In 1732 the manor was sold to Baron ('Freiherrn') Johann Anton Franz von Graes zu Loburg who renovated the building to its modern state.  The original 15th-Century structure and its 17th-Century extensions were then combined behind a Rococo facade.¹
In the 1970s, Diepenbrock underwent major renovation works but the characteristic 18th-Century period rooms were preserved. To date the Diepenbrock manor is still in the hands of the heirs of Baron von Graes zu Loburg.

1. W. Rave, Bau- und Kunstdenkmäler von Westfalen, Kreis Borken, XXXXVI, Münster 1954, pp. 103-12.