Francis Sartorius

The Property of a Nobleman
Anonymous sale, Sotheby's London, 12th March 1986, lot 116
Private Collection

STRUCTURE The canvas is unlined. There is one very small puncture to the canvas in the upper centre of the canvas, and there is a minor indentation to the canvas to the right of the jockey's head. PAINT SURFACE There has been some rubbing to the paint surface on the right hand side of the canvas, as well as in the foreground in the lower right. There has been some separation of the paint, due to the use of bitumen, to the dark tones in the body of the horse. ULTRAVIOLET Examination under ultraviolet light reveals some strengthening in the sky, as well as scattered retouching overall. FRAME Held in a gilded wooden frame.
"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."

The inscription on the reverse reads: Scorpion foaled in 1785.  He was got by Ilmio out of Nutcracker by Matchem, out of an own sister to the Ancaster Starling, by the Bolton Starling.  Ilmio (own brother to Chequino) was got by Herod, dam by Black Grandam Cypron, by Blaze out of Selina (dam of Scampstone Cade) by Bethel's Arabian great grandam by Graham's Champion (son of Harper's Arabian) Great Great Grandam by Darley's Arabian, Merlin.  Scorpion when he was three years old won 60 guineas at Newcastle 50 at Durham, 130 at Doncaster and 200 at Richmond beating Traveller, Spangle, Miss Hoyden&c. when four years old, he won 50 guineas & the Gold Cup at Chester, 50 at Edinburgh, 50 at Hamilton, the King's Plate at Dumfries, beating Tickle Toby, 50 at Ayr.  After having covered - he won 50 at Dumfries and two fifties at Ayr & last season he won three fifties at Montrose, beating Archer, two Fifties at Aberdeen, beating Trimmer, Archer and at Ayr Scorpion carrying 10 stone 5 pounds beat Mr Hamilton's chestnut Colt King Fergus four years old carrying eight stone eight pounds four mile heats.  Fs. Sartorius Pinxit 1796.  Scorpion was the property of Lord Archibald Hamilton