Lot 10: DMITRY GRIGORIEVICH LEVITSKY | Portrait of Princess Varvara Golitsyna

oil on canvas

68 by 54.5cm, 26 3/4 by 21 1/2 in.

oil on canvas

Structural Condition The canvas has been lined and is securely attached to a keyed wooden stretcher. This is providing a stable structural support. There is an old label on the reverse of the lower horizontal stretcher-bar. Paint Surface The paint surface has a relatively even varnish layer. There is an overall pattern of slightly raised lines of craquelure, most notably a horizontal line running through the upper part of the painting. This is entirely stable. Inspection under ultra-violet light shows a heavily discoloured varnish layer which prevents the u-v light from fully penetrating. Inspection under ultra-violet light also shows small scattered retouchings, including: 1) an area of retouching in the lower right corner of the composition, 2) small spots and horizontal lines of retouching within the sitter's clothing in the lower right quadrant, 3) small horizontal lines of retouching within the sitter's hair in the upper right quadrant, 4) spots and lines of retouching within the background including a line of retouching corresponding to the raised horizontal line of craquelure mentioned above, and 5) small carefully applied lines of retouching covering craquelure within the sitter's face and flesh tones. These retouchings are of a light yellow fluorescence and appear to have been applied at a later date. Summary The painting would therefore appear to be in good and stable condition and would benefit from cleaning, restoration and revarnishing.
"This lot is offered for sale subject to Sotheby's Conditions of Business, which are available on request and printed in Sotheby's sale catalogues. The independent reports contained in this document are provided for prospective bidders' information only and without warranty by Sotheby's or the Seller."

'Spisok proizvedenii D.G. Levitskogo s primechaniyami, sostavlennyi I.E. Grabarem' [List of works by Dmitry Levitsky compiled by Igor Grabar], in: N.Gershenson-Chegodaeva, Dmitrii Grigor'evich Levitskii, Moscow: Iskusstvo, 1964, p.423, no.35 listed under works from circa 1780

F.L. van Nederlen-Boersma, Moscow
Acquired by the grandparents of the present owner