German School circa 1700

The canvas has been restretched and is protected by fabric borders on the reverse. It is flat. There are small dots of missing paint all over the background, and small areas of minor flaking in the lower right hand corner and around the edges. Some of the darker pigments in the background have sunk into the canvas and lost their form. There is some thinning of paint in the central area, but this is not harmful to the overall effect as the bright blooms dominate those parts. Certain colours, like the strong reds and whites, retain their boldness whilst the blue pigments preserve their countours against the dark background, but have lost some of the finer details of modelling within the petals. The faded dark contours of the petals and the stems have been well- retouched and give structure to the vibrant array of blooms which fill the composition. These restrengthenings are visible under Ultraviolet examination. In addition, UV light shows old cosmetic retouching to the orange bloom far left, and to the group of small white flowers in the centre. This lot is offered in a plain frame painted black, as shown in the catalogue repdroduction.
"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."