AFTER FRANÇOIS LEMOYNE AND CHARLES-ANTOINE COYPEL | Perseus and Andromeda

The canvas is lined, the paint surface is dirty and the varnish discoloured and uneven. There are scattered surface accretions and visible retouchings throughout, as well as fine lines of discoloured retouchings in the figures’ flesh tones to reduce the appearance of craquelure. There is a repaired, vertical tear starting in Perseus' helmet approx. 30 cm. long, another in the head and neck of the figure lower right approx. 13 cm. long, as well as a diagonal surface scratch with associated paint loss in the dragon to the right of her approx. 5 cm., and one approx. 10 cm. in the red cloak of the nude figure lower centre. The paint surface has thinned in the darker pigments of the foreground and background, and shows evidence of slight wear in the 2 nude women lower centre. Inspection under ultraviolet light reveals these underneath the very thick varnish. In overall fairly good condition for a canvas of this size.
"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 present composition appears to be an amalgamation of two existing paintings. The figures of Perseus and Andromeda, here shown in reverse, are taken from François Lemoyne's signed and dated canvas from 1723, in the Wallace Collection, London.¹ The figures in the lower section of the composition, once again reversed, derive from Charles-Antoine Coypel's work dated circa 1726–27, in the Musée du Louvre.² 1 Inv. no. P417; J. Ingamells, The Wallace Collection: Catalogue of Pictures, vol. III, London 1989, pp. 248–50, cat. no. P417, reproduced.
2 Inv. no. 6688; T. Lefrançois, Charles Coypel: Peintre du roi (1694–1752), Paris 1994, pp. 211–13, cat. no. P76, reproduced.