Manuel Serrano (1814-1883)

Private Collection, Portugal 

This work has been restored. The canvas seems to be lined with a non-wax adhesive onto a non-original stretcher. Under ultraviolet light, one can see that retouches have been applied to some cracking and losses in the vegetation to the left of the stall in the center. There are restorations in the clothing of the child standing in the lower left of the group, across the bottom edge in the grass and foreground, in the coat of the woman with the straw hat in the center, and in the hind quarters of both donkeys. There are also retouches in the sky across the top edge and in the far right. The retouching seems to be quite successful. (This condition report has been provided courtesy of Simon Parkes Art Conservation, Inc.)
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.