Lot 208

The varnish is somewhat darkened and discoloured but the painting generally presents well at normal viewing.

There are a few old superficial scrapes and small spots beneath the old varnish, mostly in the area of sky above the jockeys' heads (as visible in the catalogue photos), some of the spots probably being old points of retouching that have discoloured over time. A roughly elliptical line of disturbance in the painter layer above the horses' heads (visible in raking light but otherwise not conspicuous) suggests some old damage and repair in this area.

Slight stretcher bar impressions with very fine cracking run across the upper part and down the left side of the work. The stretcher is a little loose within the frame rebate allowing movement which has caused abrasion to some edges of the canvas (as visible in the catalogue photos

Inspection under UV light suggests some earlier points of retouching but that the paint layer has been undisturbed for some considerable time; none of the areas of probable repair or retouching mentioned above fluoresce under UV light.

The canvas has been relined, evidently at some point in the second half of the twentieth century.

The antique gilt wood frame shows considerable wear.



The opinions expressed in the condition reports are a guide only and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Prospective buyers are encouraged to seek further information or request additional images during our pre-sale period where Leonard Joel staff are available for advice. Please note condition reports can be amended during the pre-sale period, so we strongly suggest any interested bidders check the published condition report available on the website before the auction commences. Leonard Joel makes no guarantee of the originality of mechanical or applied components. Absence of reference to such modifications does not imply that a lot is free from modifications.

A similar composition of the finish of the 1809 Derby Stakes drawn by Sartorius was engraved and published in The Sporting Magazine (July, 1809, accompanying the article at p. 129).