Nicolas Robert

Sale, Monaco, Sotheby's, Bibliothèque Marcel Jeanson, Deuxième Partie, Ornithologie, 16 June 1988, lot 90

Laid down. Condition is excellent. Colors are vibrant and strong. Some brown/black staining at the lower right and left corners.
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.

Nicolas Robert was perhaps the greatest French natural history artist of the 17th century, producing considerable numbers of superb watercolors on vellum, depicting flowers, plants, birds and other animals, primarily executed for Gaston d'Orléans, brother of King Louis XIII.  Today, his works can be found in various private and public collections, but the largest number is at the Musee d'Histoire Naturelle in Paris.  This collection contains over 6,000 watercolours by the artist, including all the known drawings of birds other than those formerly in the Jeanson Collection.  For more information on the artist and his patronage, see the introduction to the Nicolas Robert section of the 1988 sale catalogue (pp.72-75; see Provenance).