Georges d'Espagnat

Dr. Georges Viau, Paris (acquired in 1898)
Private Collection, Paris
Sale: Chambelland, Giafferi, Veyrac, Paris, June 15, 1994, lot 25
Noortman Master Paintings, Maastricht
Private Collection, Belgium (acquired from the above circa 1995)
Acquired from the above by the present owner

Octave Maus, "Un décorateur nouveau: Georges d’Espagnat," Art et décoration, October 6, 1899, illustrated pp. 121-22

Canvas is strip lined. Edges are reinforced with tape. Old stretcher bar marks are visible on the back of the canvas. The letter A is inscribed on the the back of the canvas on the reverse of the upper right corner. Surface is clean the nicely textured. In the water at center left is evidence of some pigment shrinkage. Under UV light scatter strokes of retouching are visible throughout most evident at left including throughout the skirt of the female figure at left. Overall good condition.
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.

Painted in 1898, Femmes et enfants dans la terrasse du moulin de Beaulieu à Villennes-sur-Seine is one of a series of large decorative panels commissioned by the noted Parisian collector Dr. Georges Viau. By the end of the nineteenth century Dr. Viau, a dentist, had amassed one of the great Impressionist paintings collections. The works were installed in his apartment on the Boulevard Haussman, which was featured in Art et Décoration in the following year. Another painting from the same series is offered as lot 231 in this sale.