N08783

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Lot 30
  • 30

Walford Graham Robertson

Estimate
30,000 - 50,000 USD
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Description

  • Walford Graham Robertson
  • Portrait of Sarah Bernhardt as Roxanna in "Adrienne Lecouvreur"
  • signed with the artist's monogram and dated 1893 (lower left)
  • oil on canvas
  • 48 by 24 in.
  • 122 by 61 cm

Provenance

Sale: Chamin, Lombrail & Gautier, Enghien-les-Bains, October 25, 1987, lot 16
Carol Bohdan, Ltd

Exhibited

New York, Wildenstein, Sarah Bernhardt and Her Times, November 13-December 28, 1984

Literature

Walford Graham Robertson, Time Was, London, 1931, p. 254, illustrated p. 255

Condition

The canvas has been relined. There are some minor surface abrasions caused by the frame in places about the left, upper and right edge. There is some very minor craquelure to the sitter's face, which is only visible upon close inspection. Otherwise the work appears in good overall condition. UV reveals small touch ups along edges, which mostly correspond to the above mentioned abrasions. There are also small areas of retouching to sitter's sleeve near the lower edge and two or three further minor and isolated spots of retouching about the surface.
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.

Catalogue Note

Robertson painted Sarah Bernhardt several times and the two became friends.  The present work depicts Bernhardt in the costume of Roxanna, the Persian wife of Alexander the Great, a featured character in the "play within the play" Adrienne Lecouvreur which followed the tragic life of the eponymous eighteenth century actress.