Antoine Vestier

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 work has certainly not been restored for many years. The canvas is even possibly unlined. The varnish has bloomed very noticeably, and the depth throughout the picture is very compromised at present. There is an unrestored loss in the lower left quadrant in his jacket, another small loss to the right of his chin, a scuff in the background on the right side, and a small damage in the upper left background. I would try to keep the work unlined, and perhaps one could correct some of the unevenness to the surface working with the original canvas. Cleaning would probably be remarkably fruitful, and little if any abrasion or damage would become apparent.
"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."