L10237

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Lot 189
  • 189

Claude Vignon

Estimate
15,000 - 20,000 GBP
bidding is closed

Description

  • Claude Vignon
  • The young singer
  • oil on canvas

Provenance

With Eric Coatalem, Paris (according to an old label on the reverse).

Literature

P.P. Bassani, Claude Vignon, Paris 1992, p. 210, cat. no. 64.

Condition

The painting is slightly warmer in tone than it appears in the catalogue illustration, particularly in the flesh tones. The canvas has been recently relined but placed back onto an old stretcher. The painting has been recently cleaned, restored and revarnished (probably at the same time as the relining). The paint surface has been somewhat pressed by the relining process, particularly where the paint was more thinly applied, but there is still some impasto on the feathers in the boy's cap and on the highlights of his clothes and sleeve. The most significant damage, along which retouchings are visible upon close inspection, runs downards (for approx. 40 cm.) from the boy's right temple to just below his right wrist. This damage affects the boy's right eye, which has been entirely repainted, and is wider at the top (approx. 4 cm. at its maximum width), narrowing to a vertical tear towards the bottom. A smaller repaired tear (7 cm.) runs horizontally across his cap and the background upper left, and this has also been retouched. A 5cm. surface scratch has been touched up lower right. Further retouchings are visible along the edges, especially along the left and lower sides, but these are in peripheral areas and do not affect the overall condition or appearance of the painting. The 18th(?)-century French gilt wood frame, carved with flower and acorn motifs, is in good condition overall.
"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."

Catalogue Note

In a private communication with the present owner Mme. Pacht Bassani confirmed this painting to be identifiable with the lost prototype for a smaller copy sold at Christie's New York in 1984, and thus no. 64 in her catalogue.1 The figure corresponds to that of Joseph in Vignon's large signed canvas in a private collection depicting Joseph interpreting the dreams;2  his right hand has simply been downturned to grasp a songsheet, transforming him from the Old Testament hero into an anonymous vocalist.


1. See Bassani, under Literature, p. 211, cat. no. 64C, reproduced p. 210.
2. Ibid., pp. 209-10, cat.no. 63, reproduced.