Jacques-Charles Oudry

Private collection, Switzerland.

The following condition report has been provided by Simon Parkes of Simon Parkes Art Conservation, Inc. 502 East 74th St. New York, NY 212-734-3920, simonparkes@msn.com, an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. This large painting is in beautiful condition in many areas. However, there have been very broad and heavy handed restorations throughout, which are misleading to say the least. Most of the blue in the sky is not original. There are numerous broad restorations in the standing white dog in the center and also in the hindquarters of the white dog on the left side. The back and hindquarters of the seated brown dog on the left are also very broadly repainted. One can see these cosmetic retouches in evidence throughout the work, including many of the flowers around the partridge on the right side and the leaves of the tree around the parrot. Some of the small bumps in the canvas should be addressed, which can probably be done without changing the lining. Properly restoring the work, including fully cleaning the painting to remove all of the retouches and old dirt, would make enormous improvements.
"This lot is offered for sale subject to Sotheby's Conditions of Business, which are available on request and printed in Sotheby's sale catalogues. The independent reports contained in this document are provided for prospective bidders' information only and without warranty by Sotheby's or the Seller."