After Hendrick Ter Brugghen

Condition report for painting: The small panel is flat and stable, lightly bevelled on all four edges. The paint surface is stable, still thick, and without any sign of flaking. Colours are rich and well - preserved and the panel has a very fine black and gold painted border hidden beneath the frame, which is still in intact. The panel has a circa 9 cm line extending diagonally upwards from the lower right corner, but there is no sign of any evident retouching under UV light so this is probably an irregularity in the wood as opposed to a previous damage. Another very minor unevenness in the wood by the violin handle, approximately 2 cm long. These both are only noticeable to the touch and visible only under raking light. Inspection under Ultraviolet light reveals a dusting of spot retouchings on the right hand side of the mans' face and along the left side of his arm. Also come very light infilling of craquelure, but otherwise the work is untouched and has evidently been well- looked after. The glint on the rim the wine glass, the sharp edge of the violin, the ruddines of the man's skin and thickness of the feather in his hat are all details that add to the liveliness and attractiveness of the work. This delightful small work is offered in a very fitting wood frame, dark red in tone, with a delicate geometric pattern. Condition report for engraving: Trimmed just outside the borderline, in good condition apart form a soft diagonal fold across the centre of the sheet (mainly visible verso), framed.
"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."

This is a copy in reverse of a much larger work by Hendrick ter Brugghen (L. J. Slatkes and W. Franits, The Paintings of Hendrick ter Brugghen 1588 - 1629, Amsterdam 2007, p. 9, 275 - 276, cat. no. W22), now lost, of which there is a workshop version in a private collection, Netherlands. The original was engraved by Theodor Matham (Haarlem 1605/6 - 1676 Amsterdam) (Hollstein 45), an impression of which is offered with this lot.