French School, 18th Century

In the collection of the Boileau Family, Ketteringham Park, Norfolk;
Mr. and Mrs. Noah and Muriel Butkin, Cleveland;
By whom bequeathed to the Cleveland Museum of Art (The Muriel Butkin Bequest), in 1980 [acc. no. 1980.293].

J. Morley, Rousseau, London 1881, vol. II, chap. VI (as a portrait of Rousseau);
J. Churton Collins, Voltaire, Montesquieu and Rousseau in England, London 1908, p. 182ff (as a portrait of Rousseau);
H. Buffenoir, Les Portraits de Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Paris 1913, chap. VII (as an unknown sitter, not Rousseau);
Supplement � La Gazette des Beaux-Arts, no. 1356, January 1982, p. 17, reproduced fig. 24.

The canvas is lined. The surface of the work is in overall good condition. There is faint craquelure throughout the piece. Under UV; heavy varnish and a rather large amount of inpainting.
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.