Jehan Georges Vibert

Dowdel Family, Texas and Illinois
Thence by descent to the present owner

Oil on cradled panel. The picture surface is in generally good condition aside from frame abrasions at the extreme edges. Abrasion to the picture surface in the red cloak at lower center. Under UV: a few small spots of inpainting fluoresce across the surface.
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.

In An Amusing Read, Vibert carefully describes in exquisite detail the pleasures of the five senses.  A favorite theme of the artist, he suggests the sense of touch by the Cardinal’s hand supporting the spine of the book he enjoys; the sense of smell derived from the bouquet of flowers in the blue vase; the sense of taste present in the delicate glass of port sitting on a silver tray; the sense of sight induced as the Cardinal consumes the text; and the sense of sound elicited, perhaps, as the Cardinal chuckles to himself in an otherwise quiet room.  The book’s title, Contes Humoristiques, possibly makes reference to the popular French author and satirist Alphonse Allais, loved by all levels of Parisian society for his wildly absurdist humor; but may also allude to a series of satiric paintings by Allais based on single colors, especially his Apoplectic Cardinals Harvesting Tomatoes on the Shores of the Red Sea (1884), a completely red canvas, slyly commented on by Vibert with the marvelous harmonies in red he has created for this painting.