Lot 4080

Inspection under UV light reveals no recent retouching (although whether there are early areas of retouching is less clear), and areas of impasto are well preserved (e.g. in the treatment of the blue lamp shade), but the following points are noted:

– there are horizontal cracks across the paint layer throughout, mostly light but a little more pronounced in the upper left quadrant, together with areas of more general slight shrinkage cracking in the paint layer throughout;

– scattered throughout are small paint losses exposing the canvas, either as a single loss or a cluster or line of smaller losses, evidently associated with cracking or abrasion; the most conspicuous of these are across the upper part of the right upright of the chair back and two around the legs of the chair, one to its right and a line of small losses running horizontally across the lower part of its left leg and extending into the lowest folds of the dress; there are various losses across the top of the canvas (all within 3cm of the upper sight edge) and other more slight losses throughout along some of the cracks referred to above;

– there is a small indentation with a slight puncture to the canvas and associated paint loss in the lower folds of the dress abutting the left leg of the chair (just above the line of small paint losses in this area referred to above);

– the whole of the reverse of the canvas has been painted pink;

– the frame is generally in good condition, with typical light wear to its edges and high points of its moulding, but there is one loss to a moulding lower centre right.



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.

Leonard Joel, Australian, British, New Zealand, and European Historical and Contemporary Paintings [etc.], Melbourne, 12 April 1989, lot 1460 (as School of Sickert, 'The mirror', illustrated)