Eugène Devéria

Sale: Doyle, New York, September 30, 2015, lot 5, illustrated

Oil on paper laid down on canvas. The work is bright and fresh and the colors remain vibrant. A few minor pinpoint dots of discoloration visible. Finely patterned stable craquelure visible in some of the lighter pigments. There is a minor horizontal line of abrasion parallel to the lower left edge. Frame abrasion at the extreme edges. Under UV: there are vertical areas of retouching along the extent of the left and right edges with additional brushy retouches along the top edge. Some reinforcements in the contours of the landscape in the background. Finely applied dashes of retouching to address prior craquelure visible in the lower part of the rightmost lady's skirt; and retouching of the tip of the leftmost lady's skirt. There are finely applied retouches to the costumes of the three gentleman at right, and retouching to the entirety of the far right man's elbow and to the right of his hip.
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.

The centuries-old Ossalois culture hails from the Ossau Valley in the Pyrenees mountains. In the present work, the three women are depicted wearing traditional scarlet cloths adorned with silk, which were typically worn on holidays.