Franz von Stuck

Private Estate, Basel
Purchased from the above by the present owner

Heinrich Voss, Franz von Stuck 1863-1928, Munich, 1973, p. 138, no. 179/481, illustrated; p. 279, catalogued

The following condition report has been prepared by Hamish Dewar Ltd., 13 and 14 Mason's Yard, St James', London, SW1Y 6BU: UNCONDITIONAL AND WITHOUT PREJUDICE Structural Condition The artist's board has been laid onto a secondary wooden strainer with five vertical batons and two horizontal batons. This is providing an even and stable structural support. Paint surface The paint surface has an even varnish layer. The paint surface has a pattern of drying craquelure throughout the dark pigments of the composition. This is entirely stable. Inspection under ultra-violet light shows a heavily discoloured and opaque varnish layer which prevents the u-v light from fully penetrating. Inspection under ultra-violet light also shows scattered retouchings throughout the composition, the most significant of which are: 1) scattered retouchings covering craquelure within dark pigments, including within the sitter's hair and dress 2) scattered retouchings within the sitter's arms and a few very small spots on her face, and 3) further scattered retouchings throughout the background. These retouchings are all on top of the opaque varnish layers. There appears to be some further retouchings beneath the opaque varnish layers in the lower left quadrant of the composition. Summary The painting would therefore appear to be in relatively good and stable condition having undergone extensive restoration work in the past. Colours are less yellow than in the printed catalogue.
"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."

Painted circa 1898.

As masquerades flourished in eighteenth and nineteenth century Europe, Domino was probably the most common mask of all. Typical of the Venetian Carnival, it consisted in a black mask covering only the eyes and was sometimes worn with a cloak over the dress.