Honoré Daumier

Jules Dupré, Paris (and sold: Galerie Georges Petit, Paris, January 30, 1890, lot 142)
Boussod et Valadon, Paris
Duchesne Collection
J.R.M. Neerwoort, Amsterdam (and sold: Frederik Müller & Co., Amsterdam, November 30, 1921, lot 5)
Mrs. H. Stokvis, Geneva
Mrs. Alice Stokvis (by descent from the above)

Paris, Galerie Durand-Ruel, Exposition des peintures et dessins de H. Daumier, 1878, no. 25

Arsène Alexandre, Honoré Daumier, l'homme et l'oeuvre, Paris, 1888, p. 375
Karl Eric Maison, Honoré Daumier, Catalogue Raisonné of the Paintings, Watercolours and Drawings, vol. I, London, 1968, no. I-66, illustrated pl. 110
Luigi Barzini, L'Opera pittorica complete di Daumier, Milan, 1971, no. 85, illustrated p. 95

This painting has been recently restored. I cannot see any area which should be further restored. As the picture was drying, the paint layer shrank in places, causing small ridges in the paint that run horizontally, perhaps with the grain of the wood. The paint layer has shrunk in the black of the figure's cloak and hat, which can often happen when a novel kind of black or medium is used. The result is that the surface is quite uneven. In addition to this, there is slight abrasion visible in the faint sketchy figures in the center of the right side and a little bit above the hat on the bottom edge. There is also some old restoration along the top edge, in the upper right corner and in upper left corner. The condition is not particularly good, but the work looks well nonetheless. The above condition report has been provided by Simon Parkes of Simon Parkes Art Conservation, Inc. 502 East 74th St. New York, NY 212-734-3920, simonparkes@msn.com, an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's.
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.