Francis Danby, A.R.A.

STRUCTURE Original single stable flat panel. PAINT SURFACE The painting appears to be in good condition. There is a very fine uneven craquelure particularly visible in the tree trunks. The impasto in the leaves and the girl's clothing has retained it's freshness and there is no apparent damage or loss except for a very minor stabilised crack in the girl's exposed shoulder and two very very minor divots to the extreme centre right which may well have been an irregularity on the the original panel. ULTRAVIOLET Examination under ultraviolet light reveals some very very minor retouching to the shrubbery in the background centre right, and in the petticoat and dress of the girl. FRAME Held in a gold painted wood 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 present painting relates closely to Children by a Brook (Private Collection), painted circa 1822-3 (see F. Greenacre, Francis Danby 1793-1861, London 1988, no. 15, p. 87). We are grateful to Francis Greenacre for confirming the attibution on the basis of photographs.