John James Chalon, R.A.

Oil on canvas, lined. The surface has been slightly flattened by this lining. The picture surface is in generally good condition. A stable web of barely perceptible craquelure is visible, especially in the lighter pigments. The work is over-all clean and fresh. Under UV light, there are scattered older brushed retouches throughout the sky. Minor area of craquelure has been retouched at the upper right corner. Some additional minor retouching to the craquelure is visible in the architecture. The majority of the lower third of the work is covered in a green fluorescing varnish. There are some older areas of retouching, especially in the white horse at lower right and in some of the darker shadows and outlines of the figures. The picture is in generally excellent condition. In a gold frame and ready to hang in its current 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.

Chalon first depicted the market and Fountain of the Innocents in his 1822 submission to the Royal Academy (sold New York, Sotheby's, 22 May 1986, lot 6; now in the Musée Carnavalet, Paris). The present work, dated 4 years later, is of comparable size though it depicts a larger expanse of the bustling market.