Lot 13: MARIE LUCAS-ROBIQUET | Une caravane dans l'Oued-Biskra

oil on canvas

106 by 142cm., 41¾ by 56in.

oil on canvas

The following condition report has been provided by Hamish Dewar Ltd, 13 & 14 Mason's Yard, London SW1Y 6BU: UNCONDITIONAL AND WITHOUT PREJUDICE Structural Condition The canvas is unlined and is securely attached to what certainly appears to be the artist's original, keyed wooden stretcher. There is some slight pulling in the lower left and right corners of the composition and the canvas would benefit from retensioning. Paint surface The paint surface has a reasonably even varnish layer. There is small vertical line of paint loss above the horizon in the upper left quadrant of the composition and two further minor paint losses towards the upper left corner. There is also a horizontal line of abrasion within the sky in the upper right quadrant of the composition. There are several pale areas within upper right and left of the sky which are possibly retouching but would seem more likely to be due to the degradation of the varnish layers. These areas do not fluoresce in a manner consistent with retouching under ultra-violet light. One of these areas corresponds to the horizontal line of abrasion mentioned above. The paint surface has a faint pattern of craquelure, most notably within the sky, and some fine stretcher bar lines corresponding to the stretcher members. These all appear stable and are not particularly visually distracting. Inspection under ultra-violet light does not appear to show evidence of any retouching. Summary The painting would therefore appear to be in good condition and would benefit from cleaning, restoration and revarnishing, and from the localised consolidation, infilling and retouching of any minor paint losses as well as the reversal of the areas mentioned above in the sky.
"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."

Paris, Salon, 1893, no. 1159

Private collection, France