Thomas Sully (1783 - 1872)

General Alexander Macomb, New York;
Mrs. John Mason, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania;
By descent in the family;
Christie's, New York, American Paintings, May 5, 1999, sale 8247, lot 17;
Alan Miller, Quakertown, Pennsylvania.

Edward Biddle and Mantle Fielding, The Life and Works of Thomas Sully, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1921, no. 1203, p. 226.

The canvas is lined. There is frame abrasion along edges and craquelure, which is most visible in the upper left background. Under UV: the work appears to have undergone two campaigns of cleaning. The earlier restoration is mostly concentrated in the left background and along the left edge of the woman's neck and hair. The later restoration: there is a 4-inch horizontal repair in the upper left background and a few 1-inch spots in the upper right background. There is a dime sized spot of inpainting on the back of the woman's neck, scattered dots and lines along the top of her head and to the drapery at upper left. There are a few thin lines to cracks in her arms and the baby's face.
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.

Mrs. John Mason was the daughter of General Alexander Macomb, Commander in Chief, U.S. Army, West Point, New York.