Edouard Louis Dubufe

Claude-Marie-Edouard et Guillaume Dubufe, portraits d'un siècle d'élégance parisienne, Paris, 1988, reproduit p.33 (localisé par erreur au Musée National du Château de Versailles).

Good overall condition. Small retouchings on the right, notably on the four characters on the right. Small retouchings along the left hand side edge and on some characters on the left. There are two oblics folds, one on the left and the other, smaller, on the right. We think that these folds are due to the paper which is very thin.
"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."

Etude préparatoire pour le grand tableau (308 x 510 cm) peint en 1856, exposé au Salon de 1857 (n°819) et conservé au Musée National du Château de Versailles. Il en existe une réplique, qui se trouve au Ministère des Affaires Etrangères (cf Claire Constans, Les peintres du Musée National du Château de Versailles, tome I, Paris RMN, 1995, p.278).  

Du 25 février au 30 mars 1856 un Congrès rassemblant les principaux belligérants de la guerre de Crimée se tenait à Paris. Le 30 mars, la France, l'Angleterre et la Russie parvinrent à un accord et signèrent un traité consacrant l'indépendance de l'Empire Ottoman.