David Gilmour Blythe

'A New Orleans barroom'
Private Collection, New Orleans
Hirschl & Adler Galleries, New York
Mr. and Mrs. James B. Byrnes, Los Angeles
By descent to the present owner

Washington, D.C., National Collection of Fine Arts, Smithsonian Institution; Rochester University Memorial Art Gallery; Pittsburgh, Museum of Art, Carnegie Institute, The World of David Gilmour Blythe (1815 - 1865), October 17, 1980 - January 11, 1981

Bruce W. Chambers, The World of David Gilmour Blythe (1815 - 1865), 1980, Washington, DC, catalogue number 129, figure 13, illustrated page 34

Condition Report from Simon Parkes Art Conservation, Inc. (9/25/13): Given the period of this work, the condition can be considered very good. The canvas has an old glue lining. The work is slightly dirty. While the lining is good, the work could certainly be cleaned and restored more accurately. Under ultraviolet light, it can be seen that there are some retouches in the center of the figure's coat and in the right and left of the coat to a lesser degree. There are retouches along the bottom edge. There are hardly any retouches in the background except for a spot or two in the upper right and along the top edge. There are no significant retouches in the hat and none in the face. There seems to be a spot or two of retouching directly to the right of the ear on the right, and perhaps a couple of small spots in the brim of the hat. The signature in the lower left is healthy. If the work were cleaned, the conspicuous lack of abrasion and damage in the background and face would be very clear. The retouches in the coat that address cracking are the least one can expect.
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.

Joseph Leathley Cowell (1792–1863), depicted here by Blythe in character, was a well-known actor both in the United States and England.