Francois Harrewijn

STRUCTURE The canvas has not been lined. PAINT SURFACE The painting appears to be in very good condition. There are two very minor flecks of paint loss in the back ground to the right of the sitter's head and there appears to be evidence of a horizontal repaired tear in the upper right hand corner measuring approx. 7 cm. from the canvas edge. Apart from the demarcation of the upper stretcher bar, and signs of very minor abrasions to the extreme left of the canvas edge, the paint surface appears to be in a good stable condition. ULTRAVIOLET Examination under ultraviolet light confirms the presence of thick uneven layer of discoloured varnish overall. There is evidence of two campaigns of minor retouching to the face, the first concentrated on the forehead, eyes and chin, the second, on the outline of the sitter's right cheek. There are further areas of minor retouching to the sitter's clothes, predominantly in the lower left, and the sitter's sleeve and cuff. Elsewhere there are scattered minor areas of retouching to the abrasion, the stretcher bar mark and the repaired tear mentioned above FRAME Held in a wood and plaster gilt frame. To speak to a specialist about this lot please contact Julian Gascoigne on +44 (0)207 293 5482, or at julian.gascoigne@sothebys.com, or Ludo Shaw Stewart on +44 (0)207 293 5816, or at ludovic.shawstewart@sothebys.com.
"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."

The sitter, who was also 3rd Earl of Elgin, died in Brussels in 1741. A fountain was erected to his memory in the Place du Grand Sablon, as a mark of gratitude for his generosity to the city and its populace.