English School, circa 1800

Mary Clark Thompson, New York and Canandaigua, NY;
By whom bequeathed to The Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1924 (Inv. no. 24.80.488).

K. Baetjer, European Paintings in The Metropolitan Museum of Art, by artists born in or after 1865, A Summary Catalogue, New York 1980, vol. I, p. 136, vol. II, p.270, reproduced (as John Opie, Miss Walker);
K. Baetjer, European Paintings in The Metropolitan Museum of Art, by artists born in or after 1865, A Summary Catalogue, New York 1995, p. 200, reproduced (as John Opie, Miss Walker)
K. Baetjer, British Paintings in The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1575-1875, New York 2009, p. 199, reproduced (as English Artist, circa 1830, A Girl with a Basket of Birds).

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 work has not been recently restored. The canvas is lined. The surface is even and there is no visible instability. The paint layer is dirty and could easily be cleaned. The condition is very good, particularly given the problems pictures from this period can develop. There is a diagonal scratch in the varnish in the background in the upper right. There is no abrasion. Some slight separation beneath the cheek on the left and beneath the little finger of the right hand seems to show the artist's red ground color. There are a few little cracks in the hair above the forehead. All of these are minor details, and this is clearly a picture which is very well preserved. The retouches that have been applied are few and far between. There are a few retouches in some cracking beneath her left arm, in her left little finger and in her hair. There are also a few spots in the center of the left background. The work is in lovely condition.
"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."