JEAN-LOUIS VOILLE | Presumed portrait of Princess Tatyana Yusupova (1769-1841)

The actual painting shows more contrast and is much nicer than the catalogue illustration would suggest. The canvas has been relined (glue). The painted surface seems to be in a reasonably good condition showing some thinness concentrated in the dark area in the background and in the figure’s hair. Some areas of stronger craquelure pattern can be observed to her left and around her head. A few discolored retouchings can be seen in the figure’s face, mainly in her cheeks and chin areas. A few tiny retouched paint losses are visible in her white dress. Under the UV light The varnish layer fluoresces for the larger part showing minor strenghtenings and retouchings around the edges of the painting, a few in her face as mentioned above, some are visible in her hair, her left side, in her dress on her left side and to the left of her. Offered with an oval carved and 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. 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."

A portrait by the artist is in the State Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg and shows the Princess Tatiana Yusupova also in a similar oval portrait setting (oil on canvas, oval, 63 by 57 cm; inv. no. ГЭ-5656). This portrait entered the Hermitage in 1925 and was formerly in the Yusupovs' collection which was confiscated by the Russian state after the Russian Revolution. 

The princess was also famously painted by Elisabeth Vigée-Lebrun in 1797 (Tokyo Fuji Art Museum). Princess Tatiana Vassilievna Youssoupov (or Yusupova), born Engelhardt, Mme Potemkine in her first marriage, was a sister of Varvara Galitzin and Catherine Skavronsky, whom Vigée-Lebrun also painted.