LA DESCENTE D'AMIDA JAPON, ÉPOQUE KAMAKURA |

encre, couleurs et or sur soie, montée en rouleau, boîte couverte en bois (3)

Acquired by Willem van Heusden in Japan before 1955 (according to his wife).

There are overall losses to the pigments on the dark blue background and the pale pigments of the Amida robe which has fine gold detailing. There are scattered horizontal and vertical creases with associated areas of loss to the pigments. There are areas of retouching and restoration, and scattered minute spots. The gold lines of the mandorla are worn. The colours are more refined and differentiated and slightly lighter than the catalogue illustration suggests.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

'... The previous owner of this paintings has hopefully ascribed it to Eshin-Sozu himself. Since there are no known works of this master remaining and comparison is therefore impossible, such optimism is quite unwarranted. The figure of the Buddha is painted in gold of two tints which enabled the painter to delineate folds in the robe and the patterned design thereon without using other colours. This technique is peculiar to the (Kamakura) period and was derived from China.'
Quote Willem van Heusden in his notes accompanying the painting.