Neapolitan School, 17th Century

Acquired by Sir John Wright Guise, 3rd Bart., G.C.B. (1777-1865) during the Peninsular Wars 1812-14;
Thence by family descent.

The canvas has an old lining which is stable. There are two horizontal seams, along which there is, sporadically, some old resotration. There is a paint loss in the lower centre (2 by 2 cm). There are some large areas of restoration throughout, especially in the lower third of the painting, both in the background and the fleshtones. In the middle of the painting Bacchus' stomach, right thigh and shin have undergone fairly significant restoration. There is an area of old restored tears centre right on the satyr's hand and jug. The painting seems to have undergone several stages of restoration and cleaning, although none recently and it would benefit hugely from a fresh clean.
"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."

Sir John Wright Guise acquired this and many other old master paintings (see also lots 146 and 182) during the Peninsular campaigns of 1812-14. At this time he commanded the first battalion 3rd guards whose action included the battle of Salamanca, the capture of Madrid, the siege of, and subsequent retreat from, Burgos, the battle of Vittoria and the investment and repulse of Bayonne, at which time Sir John succeeded to the command of the second brigade of guards when Major-General Edward Stopford was wounded. His career culminated in his appointment as lieutenant-general and K.C.B. in 1841, colonel 85th light infantry in 1851 and G.C.B. in 1863. Collecting was in Sir John's blood; his ancestor General John Guise (d. 1765), the grandson of one of the brothers of the first baronet of the first creation, Christopher Guise (1620-70), amassed a large collection of paintings which he bequeathed to Christ Church, Oxford. A cousin of General John, Sir William Guise, 5th Bt. (1737-83), with whom the first baronetcy died out, sat to Allan Ramsay in one of the artist's finest portraits (see lot 52 in the Evening session of this sale).

The family seat, Elmore Court, has been held by the family for over 700 years; a document of 1274 confirming the tenure of Anselme de Gyse from John de Burgh in return for a yearly rental of 'one clove of gillyflower' still hangs at Elmore. The first baronetcy, created in 1661 by Charles II for Christopher Guise, became extinct in 1773 on the death of the above-mentioned Sir William and a second baronetcy was created for Sir John Wright Guise's father, also Sir John (1733-94), in 1783. Sir John Wright Guise inherited the 2nd baronetcy from his elder brother Sir Berkeley William Guise (1775-1834).