- 31
Italian School, circa 1800
Estimate
2,000 - 3,000 GBP
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Description
- Italian School, circa 1800
- Portrait of a boy, traditionally identified as Napoléon François Charles Joseph Bonaparte, King of Rome, later Napoleon II (1811-1832)
- oil on canvas
- 32¾in by 25in
Full length, standing, wearing a blue suit and white shirt and holding a basket of fruit
Literature
A. Denney, Burton Hall, privately published, 1950, (photographed in the Old Boudoir).
Condition
The canvas has been relined. There is a faint craquelure throughout but noticeable only on the boy's face. There are five patches of retouching in the lower right area of the composition, measuring a few centimetres each, they have slightly discoloured but do not interrupt the overall effect. Another small discoloured retouching in the upper right area. The darker background pigments have sunken minorly. There is an uneven vanrnish throughout. Under UV light are visible the aforementioned restorations and one or two further very small dot retouching in the lower right corner. The portrait is offered in a gilt frame with several knocks and worn paint.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
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."
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
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."
Catalogue Note
The sitter of this portrait has been traditionally identified as the son of Napoleon I (1769-1821), Emperor of the French, and his second wife, Marie Louise of Austria (1791-1847). By Title III, article 9, of the French Constitution of the time, he was Prince Imperial, but he was also known from birth as the King of Rome which Napoleon I declared was the courtesy title of the heir-apparent.