Charles Webster Hawthorne

William Macbeth, New York
Sale: Sotheby Parke Bernet, New York, October 27, 1977, lot 72
Private Collection, New England (sold: Sotheby's, New York, September 22, 1987, lot 208)

CONDITION REPORT, as per Simon Parkes Conservation, Inc. (3/25/2014): This work has probably been restored in the last thirty years. The work is painted on a piece of canvas glued onto a piece of heavy board, which is reinforced around the edges with four pieces of wood. This method allowed the artist to work on a textured canvas that also had the support which let him use his complex and vigorous technique, employing palette knives and the like, to create the picture. The work itself, despite being complex and employing many glazes, is in beautiful condition. There has been no abrasion. The figure of the mother and the child are mostly unrestored, except for two lines of small dots of retouching through the head, right shoulder and waist of the child. In the remainder of the picture, there are old spots of retouching in the background on the right, particularly the lower right. There are hardly any retouches on the left. The retouches could be re-examined, as they are very broad and rather sloppy. However, the picture could also be hung as is.
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.