AMILE-URSULE GUILLEBAUD | Portrait of the artist, seated at her easel

The canvas is unlined, flat and stable. The colors are vibrant and the artist's sensitive depiction of the light remains well-preserved. The details on the chair are particularly well-preserved and retain some impasto. Overall the work is in very good condition. Ultraviolet light reveals a milky varnish overall with very few areas of retouching and some evidence of past restoration campaigns. There are a few minor spots of repaint that flouresce along the right edge in the upper part of the red curtain, in the shadow beneath the easel and sitter, and in the upper right corner. The varnish appears slightly uneven over her face when viewed with ultraviolet light but with the naked eye it is clear and fresh. The painting can be hung as is and is offered in a carved giltwood 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.

A student of the history painter Joseph Hornung, Guillebaud worked in Geneva, painting mostly portraits and genre scenes, from circa 1820 to 1845, though very little is known of her life. This charming painting is almost certainly a self-portrait of the artist in her studio.