James-Jacques-Joseph Tissot

Vente de l'Atelier Tissot, Hôtel Drouot, Paris, 9-10 juillet 1903 "Marie-Madeleine après sa conversion" ;
Collection Alfred Charles Buckingham, ancien secrétaire de Tissot ;
Acquis du précédent le 18 mai 1926 par Antoinette Vitte, collaboratrice de Maurice de Brunhoff (éditeur de l'Ancien Testament illustré par Tissot) ;
Resté depuis chez les descendants de la précédente

The panel is flat and even There are some light signs of frame rubbing to the left of the upper edge (visible in the catalogue illustration) Ultraviolet light reveals some scattered strokes of retouching, notably in the door in the upper left quadrant, in the veil to the left of the figure’s face, in the background to the upper right of her head and in the lower right of her dress. The varnish fluoresces more of an opaque green over the figure possibly relating to a selective clean in the past. This painting is in good condition and ready to hang The colours are slightly deeper and less pink in reality than in the catalogue illustration Presented in a decorative gilt frame with a black painted surround
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Tissot réalisa trois-cent-cinquante aquarelles pour illustrer son ouvrage La Vie de Notre Seigneur Jésus Christ, auxquelles il en ajouta quelques nouvelles pour une édition spéciale. En 1894 il en exposa deux-cents-soixante-dix au Salon du Champ de Mars. Trois représentations de Marie-Madeleine se retrouvent dans sa vente après-décès, Marie-Madeleine aux pieds de Jésus, Marie-Madeleine avant sa conversion et enfin Marie-Madeleine après sa conversion. Cette troisième oeuvre est notre tableau. Tissot reprendra cette composition pour la reproduire sous forme de lithographie dans sa Vie de Notre Seigneur Jésus Christ sous le titre La Madeleine repentante.