Maximilien Luce

Galerie Huinck en Scherjon, Amsterdam Galerie René Drouet, Paris Private Collection, Beverly Hills (acquired from the above in 1968)
Thence by descent to the present owner 

Amsterdam, Galerie Huinck en Scherjon, 1932, no. 3 (titled Panorama de Paris)
Amsterdam, Galerie Huinck en Sherjon, Nederlandse en Franse Kunst, 1935, no. 20 (titled Panorama de Paris)

Philippe Cazeau, Maximilien Luce, Paris, 1982, p. 40
Jean Bouin-Luce & Denise Bazetoux, Maximilien Luce, Catalogue de l'oeuvre peint, vol. II, Paris, 1986, no. 163, illustrated p. 47

The painting has a fairly old French glue lining. More recently, however, the painting was cleaned, retouched and varnished. The varnish acts as a screen against ultraviolet light and identifying restorations is not possible. However, with the naked eye one can see that approximately an inch has been repainted at the extreme left, right and top edges. The bottom edge seems to be original. From this one can draw two possible conclusions, firstly that these three sides are damaged to the point where all of the restoration was thought necessary and secondly that the original size of the picture is slightly smaller. Although in this case restorations are not visible under ultraviolet light anyway, it seems from a visual appraisal that the bulk of the painting proper is in beautiful condition. Whereas the picture as we see it today shows a lot of restoration, if the frame were reduced in size (by an inch on the top and an inch on both sides) there would be practically no restoration visible. The above condition report has been provided by Simon Parkes of Simon Parkes Art Conservation, Inc. 502 East 74th St. New York, NY 212-734-3920, simonparkes@msn.com , an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.