Follower of François Boucher

Anonymous sale, New York, Christie's, 23 January 2004, lot 173;
There acquired by the family of the late collector.

The canvas is lined. The painting reads well and presents a strong image. There are some areas of thinness, for example in the orange cloak at lower left. Varnish appears dirty in some spots, for example in the sky at right. There is scattered craquelure with some associated lifting at bottom left. A small spot of paint loss in the background is at center left. Inspection under UV reveals a milky varnish, beneath which appears an area of retouching at the lower left. The varnish fluoresces unevenly in the face of the woman left of center, and in the face and body of the woman at center. A few spots of retouching could possibly be in the background, near the leg of the putti at right. The painting might benefit from a light clean, but otherwise can hang in its present state. Offered in a decoratively carved, gilded frame.
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.

This composition derives from François Boucher's L'enlèvement d'Europe, currently in the Musée du Louvre, Paris (inv. no. 2714). Both paintings depict the abduction of Europa by Jupiter, who, disguised as a white bull, seduces the princess to climb onto his back as he slips into the waves and drifts further out to sea. The subject is taken from Ovid's Metamorphoses (Bk II:833-875), a Latin narrative poem written in the 1st century BC.