Andrés Ginés de Aguirre

"The following condition report has been provided by Henry Gentle, an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. The original canvas is lined. The paint layer is stable but there are raised stretcher marks and a central vertical seam or damage(?) with restoration along it. There are augmented shadows to the brown clothes of the water seller, restrained standing figure and the seated figure left. Some of the larger dark shrinkage cracks have been reduced and under Ultraviolet light a scattering of retouchings can be seen, mostly in the sky, along with the remains of an older discoloured varnish. Generally the condition is favourable with areas of well preserved paint. The impasto has been slightly compromised in places; the removal of the varnish would improve the tonality. Offered in a gilt wood frame in good condition."
"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."

Ginés de Aguirre entered the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando in Madrid in 1745 and was successful both as a painter and as a teacher. Along with Francisco Goya, Francisco and Ramón Bayeu and Mariano Salvador Maella he produced tapestry designs for the Real Fábrica de Tapices de Santa Bárbara. The present composition is possibly an example of a cartoon designed for a tapestry.

In 1786 Aguirre was promoted to the position of Director of Painting in the Academia de San Carlos in Mexico City where he was to spend the remainder of his career. He died there in 1800.