Alexander Roslin Malmö 1718 - 1793 Paris

Achenbach, Berlin;
Sale: Rudolph Lepke's Kunstauktionshaus, Berlin, October 11 and 12, 1910, lot 89 (as Liotard);
Arthur Sambon, Paris;
Sale: Galerie Georges Petit, Paris, May 25-28, 1914, lot 218 (as Liotard)
Nelson Eddy, Los Angeles, thence by descent

Neil Jeffares, Dictionary of Pastellists before 1800, London, 2006, p. 439, illustrated
M. Roethlisberger and R. Loche, Liotard, Doornspijk 2008, vol. I, p. 644-645, cat. no. 519, reproduced plate 723 as by Alexandre Roslin

In very good condition, with good retention of pastel.
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.

Of Swiss origin, Johann Fries (1719-1785) was involved in the very lucrative operation of provisioning the Austrian army and the routing of funds from the British government to Vienna during the Austrian Succession war (1740-48). His efforts were rewarded with a concession allowing him to manufacture cloth in Austria and with a monopoly on the transfer of gold currency to the Orient, thus leading to his becoming one of the wealthiest men at the Austrian court.

The present work had been concieved as a pendant to the portrait of Baroness von Fries (whereabouts unknown).

We are grateful to Neil Jeffares for his help in cataloguing the present lot.