Jan Baptist Bosschaert

With The McEwan Gallery, Ballater, Aberdeenshire (from labels on the reverse).

The following 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. This pair of paintings has been lined with wax. The paint layer is stable, but a fresh lining would produce a better, more attractive surface. There is a good retention of impasto in both pictures, and the condition in both cases seems to be very respectable. As is very often the case, the bulk of the restoration to these pictures is in the background. In the composition without the roses in the lower right, there is a thin vertical tear running from top to bottom through the center, in addition to a few other isolated restorations. In the composition with the roses in the lower right, retouches are similar to its mate, but there are no outstanding structural repairs.
"This lot is offered for sale subject to Sotheby's Conditions of Business, which are available on request and printed in Sotheby's sale catalogues. The independent reports contained in this document are provided for prospective bidders' information only and without warranty by Sotheby's or the Seller."