Lot 28: FRANÇOIS-EMILE DE LANSAC | Preparing for Battle (Possibly Abd-el-Kader and his Troops)

oil on canvas

50.5 by 65.5cm., 20 by 25¾in.

oil on canvas

The canvas has been relined. There are some minor faint localised lines of craquelure, primarily visible in the sky. The overall appearance of the painting under normal light is good, however ultra-violet light reveals extensive areas of retouching primarily throughout the sky and in the darker pigments of the lower part of the composition; apart from the cloak of the man with his back to the viewer, his horse and the horses in the lower right, there appear to be notably less retouching to the figures overall. Presented in a black-painted frame with decorative gilt motifs.
"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."

Probably, Paris, Salon, 1839, no. 1215 (as Arabes en Embuscade)

Probably, Emile Bellier de la Chavignerie et Louis Auvray, Les Artistes de l’Ecole Française, vol. II, Paris, 1885, pp. 904-905, listed