José Villegas

Sale: Sotheby's, New York, May 7, 1998, lot 246

Madrid, Catálogo Villegas. Exposisión de sus obras, 1922, no. 32

S. y J. Alvarez Quintero, Homenaje a Villegas, Madrid, 1919, p. 29 (as painted in 1891)

Oil on canvas, unlined. The picture surface is in generally good condition. There are four patches on the reverse of the work that correspond to inpaints to the left of the subject's right ear; to the left of the center of his upper right arm; a small hole to the left of the subject's right wrist; and to the right of his left knee. Under UV light, there are scattered dots of inpaint in the upper right corner and in the background. An area of the white in the background to the left of the sitter's head and a few small areas in the sitter's proper right lapel fluoresce as well. There are some areas where the artist may have added pigment over the varnish (for instance to the left of the chair) as these areas fluoresce but do not seem to address any issue.
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.

Painted in summer 1895, the present lot depicts the artist's nephew Manuel, one of his sister Antonia's five children. Manuel's siblings - Roma, Eloisa, Antonio and Pablo - were also painted by their uncle that year, after his return from taking part in the Venice Biennale.