Charles François Daubigny

Baron Kojiro Matsukata, Kobe
The 15th Bank, Japan (acquired circa 1927)
Private Collector (acquired from the above in 1929)
Thence by descent to the present owner

Toyko Prefecture Museum, The  2nd Exhibition of the Matsukata Collection, April 3-April 29, 1929, no. 25

The Old Matsukata Collection, Western Art, Kobe, 1990, p. 140, no 513, illustrated

Lined, divot to reverse of canvas in lower center trees; under UV: inpainting to address frame abrasion upper, upper left, and upper right edges, dashes and strokes of inpainting in sky, inpainting to tree trucks, particularly in center of the composition and to left most trunk, possible inpainting along lower edge.
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.

This painting was originally in the renowned Matsukata Collection in Japan.  Kojiro Matsukata (1865-1950) was a successful Japanese businessman, who used his personal fortune to collect European art for the purpose of exposing Western art to Japanese artists.  The Matsukata Collection included major works by Rodin, Monet, Courbet, Van Gogh and Cézanne; and in fact Matsukata became a close friend of Monet.  It was therefore appropriate that his collection included a painting by Daubigny, and especially a late work, very similar to the painterly technique that characterized Monet's works, as well as the treatment of a Monet subject – flowering fruit trees.