The following condition report is provided by Hamish Dewar who is an external specialist and not an employee of Sotheby's:
Structural Condition
The canvas is securely attached to what is evidently the original fixed wooden stretcher with one horizontal cross-baton. The overall structural condition would appear to be very good.
Paint surface
The paint surface has a dry unvarnished appearance with some very small losses, such as those within the light brown pigments to the upper right of the still life. These could be minimally retouched if required. I could find no evidence of retouching under ultraviolet light. There are a number of areas where the paint has been very thinly applied, resulting in the unprimed canvas being clearly visible. There may have been some flecks of loss but the great majority of these areas appear to be as intended by the artist, who has painted very thinly onto the unprimed canvas. The paint surface should benefit from light surface cleaning if required.
Summary
The painting would therefore appear to be in essentially very good and stable condition and would benefit from localised consolidation of the very small areas of unstable paint and corresponding loss and perhaps surface cleaning.
Condition 9 of the Conditions of Business for Buyers (Studio Sale) is not applicable to this lot.
"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."
