Jan Baptist Huysmans

Sale: Sotheby's, Paris, 24 October 2007, lot 30
Purchased at the above sale by the present owner

The panel is cradled and is flat, even, and ensuring a stable support. There are localised very faint lines of drying craquelure in some of the darker pigments visible under close inspection. Under ultraviolet light the old varnish fluoresces opaquely, obscuring a clear reading of the surface, however U-V light reveals signs of retouching notably strokes along the framing edges and in the window shutters and doorway to the right, and spots in the bottles on the low table and in the figures left of centre. The overall appearance of the work is good and it is ready to hang. Held in a decorative gilt frame with geometric Islamic motifs. The colours are richer, darker and less pale than in the catalogue illustration.
"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."