Lot 31: JUAN DE ARELLANO | Still life with a large array of flowers in a glass vase on a stone pedestal

oil on canvas, unlined

82.5 by 62.8 cm.; 32 1/2  by 24 1/2  in.

oil on canvas, unlined

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 unlined on a fixed wooden stretcher and inevitably for an unlined canvas of this period there are some raised lines of craquelure as well as stretcher-bar lines, all of which are slight and are presently stable. The canvas is generally rather uneven and could perhaps could be restretched onto a new keyed wooden stretcher to ensure a more even surface. The existing stretcher is clearly not the original. There is a small patch on the reverse of the canvas in the upper right as viewed from the reverse, as well as two painted numbers and some overall staining. The canvas was evidently originally on a slightly smaller stretcher. There is one very small damage to the canvas just below the upper horizontal framing edge and small losses on the left vertical framing edge. Paint Surface The paint surface has a remarkably discoloured varnish layer, as well as ingrained and surface dirt and would undoubtedly be transformed by cleaning. Inspection under ultra-violet light confirms how discoloured the varnish layers have become and how well the painting should respond to cleaning. The only retouching that appears to be identifiable under ultra-violet light is one very small spot just above the lower horizontal framing edge. There may be other retouchings beneath the opaque varnish layers that are not identifiable under ultra-violet light. The fine detail of the painting appears to be very well preserved with no evidence of abrasion or over-cleaning. Summary The painting would therefore appear to be in remarkably good and original condition with the potential to be transformed by cleaning and revarnishing. It is obviously most encouraging to find a painting of this period in its original unlined state and also apparently having never been cleaned.
"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."

In the collection of the present owner's family for at least three generations.