Chopin, Fryderyk.

executed in pencil, with highlighting in white, on thick laid paper, oval (27 x 32cms), unsigned



framed and glazed (overall size: c.32 x 37cms), wooden back panel, with label laid down ("A Graefle fait d'après nature, 19 Oct 1849"), light overall browning

R Bory, La vie de Frédéric Chopin par l'image (Paris, 1951), p.203; M. Idzikowski and B. Sydow, Les portraits de Frédéric Chopin (1953), plate 41;  E. Burger, Frédéric Chopin, Ein Lebenschronik in Bildern und Dokumenten (Munich, 1990)

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"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 seems to be the finished version of the death-bed portrait by Albert Graefle (1809-1889), which is well known from the preliminary signed sketch illustrated by Burger, Idzkowski & Sydow and Bory.  The modelling here is far finer, and completed with some white highlighting, but unsigned.  We have traced no publication of the present drawing, which has remained in the same family for over a century.   The original sketch was made by Graefle two days after Chopin's death at the request of Chopin's pupil Adolf Gutmann (1819-1882).