English School, 19th Century

 

English School: (Possibly) David Wilkie's studio sale, Christie's, London, June 1-2, 1842
Victor D. Spark, New York
West: Carlo Edoardo Murray
Count Luigi Negrotto Cambasio, Florence
Carla Ambro van Marx
Graham Gallery, New York
Paul Magriel, New York 

West: New Britain, New Britain Museum of American Art, American Drawings: Benjamin West to Ben Shahn, Selections from the Paul Magriel Collection, November 16, 1980–January 14, 1981, no. 2, illustrated in the catalogue

ENGLISH SCHOOL: The sheet has been adhered to the mat in two places at the upper corners. There is surface dirt and light and mat stain. There area few minor nicks to the edges and one minor horizontal tear to the right edge. There are scattered spots of discoloration and foxing as well as abrasions or areas of thinness, especially along the lower edge and in the lower left quadrant. In overall fair condition and ready to hang. WEST: The sheet is unevenly trimmed and has some minor nicks to the edges, namely at the upper right and upper left and a small tear at upper center. The upper left corner has been torn off but is reattached via tape on the verso. There is staining at the upper left corner as well as along the upper center edge. Minor light/mat stain and surface dirt, as well as minor light scattered foxing. VERSO: there is a drawing of the left side of a man's face, torso and his left arm. Surface dirt and the aforementioned tape at upper right corner. In overall fair condition and ready to hang. 7 1/4 by 6 1/8 in.
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.

The Benjamin West was shown to Ruth S. Kraemer, author of the exhibition catalogue Drawings by Benjamin West and his son, Raphael Lamar West (The Morgan Library, New York, 1975), who commented that the watermark was similar to that in other works by West and that the work is probably a study for a cameo.