Master of the Vanitas Texts

The painting is richer in colour and warmer in tone than the catalogue illustration would suggest. The canvas has a mid- twentieth Century relining (?) which is still effective and has not overly flattened the paint surface, which is a little dirty and under a discoloured varnish. The dark tones of the black box below the vase of flowers have become somewhat sunken and lost some definition as a result. The impasto is still vibrant and the paint surface still well-preserved overall. Some scattered retouching can be made out in the background, and in the foreground box on the left. Inspection under Ultraviolet light confirms the scattred retouchings in the background and points to some further more extensive retouchings in the red cloth. Offered in a modern reproduction carved and gilt elaborate wooden frame.
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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."