Jacques-Charles Oudry

To the naked eye: The painting is in overall good condition. It has been properly relined thirty years ago. The painting is under uniform and dirty varnish. There are beautiful effect of transparency and nice glazes. Under UV lamp: There are very slight retouching on the hear of the dog, around his eyes, some slight retouching in the back of the dog and in the lower part of the composition in his tail and around his right foreleg in the center of the painting. Some slight retouching in the floor in the lower right corner. There is a band of restoration (one centimeters large) along the left hand side.
"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."

Jacques-Charles Oudry était fils du célèbre peintre animalier et de natures mortes, Jean-Baptiste Oudry (1686-1755). Il apprit la peinture auprès son père et fut également l'élève de Nicolas Largillierre (1656-1746). Reçu à l'Académie Royale de peinture et de sculpture en 1748, il figura au salon de Paris jusqu'en 1761. Il s'installa quelque temps à Bruxelles où il se mit au service du prince Charles de Lorraine.
Son style et le choix des sujets traités dans sa peinture s'inspirent directement de l'œuvre de son père.

Les Epagneuls nains anglais étaient des compagnons populaires (notamment auprès des femmes) dans les cours royales européennes du XVIème au XVIIIème siècle. Au Royaume Unis, sous le règne des Stuarts, cette race de chien obtint le titre Royal de Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. L'histoire raconte que le roi Charles II ne paraissait que très rarement sans deux ou trois chiens avec lui, ils avaient même le droit d'entrer au Parlement.