WILLIAM MERRITT CHASE | Portrait of a Spanish Girl

Private collection, United Kingdom, circa 1950s
Private collection (by descent)
Acquired by the present owner from the above, 2017

The following condition report has been provided by Simon Parkes, Simon Parkes Art Conservation, Inc. 502 East 74th St. New York, NY 212-734-3920, simonparkes@msn.com, an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. This work has apparently been recently been restored, but the restoration is not particularly effective. The wax lining does not present the surface well, and can easily be reversed. The condition of the painting itself seems to be very good. The impasto in the white shawl on the shoulder on the left is still quite lively. There are no signs of any abrasion to the paint layer. The artist painted the work very rapidly, and the lower left and lower right are visibly unfinished. The signature is quite loosely applied and slightly smudged in "Chase," presumably by the artist. The paint layer in the face seems to be very healthy, even in the darker colors of the shadows.No retouches are evident under ultraviolet light, except for some random spots in the center of the left edge, a couple in the top edge, some along the right edge, and one or two beneath the inscription in the lower right. The work would benefit if the restoration were re-examined, but the condition is very good overall.
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 painting is included in Ronald G. Pisano’s The Complete Catalogue of Known and Documented Work by William Merritt Chase (1849-1916), catalogue no. FAA.77, and filed in the Pisano/Chase Catalogue Raisonné  records, at the Kellen Archives, The New School, New York.