The following condition report has been provided by Simon Parkes of 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 large work has a lining applied with glue. The painting is cleaned. The paint layer was originally quite thinly applied, but some of this thinness has become more pronounced over time. There are retouches addressing this thinness above the mother and child in the lower right, beneath the basket held by the woman in the lower center, and in a few areas of the stonework in the building in the center of the left side. There are very few retouches in the trees, except to one area of paint losses in the far left of the tree on the left. The paint layer has become quite thin in the sky. There is a restoration in the lower sky between the trees of about 2 by 2 inches along with a few other isolated spots in this area, a few isolated dots in the upper left, and three vertical lines of restoration above the tree on the left side.
The restorations are well applied, and the work should be hung in its current state.
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.