John Wootton

The Rev. E. Thistlethwaite, Anfield Plain, County Durham;
Anonymous sale, London, Sotheby's, 13 April 1994, lot 130 (bt. by the present owner)

London, Heim Gallery, The Painted Word, British History Painting 1750-1830, 1991, no. 1

STRUCTURE The canvas has been lined. PAINT SURFACE The painting appears to be good condition with no apparent damage except for a very minor paint loss in the lower left ro what looks like an area of recent retouching. The varnish has blanched slightly which is noticeable around the central duo and the view beyond. There is also an uneven craquelure overall in keeping with the paintings age. ULTRAVIOLET Examination under ultraviolet light reveals the presence of a thick varnish overall and infillng to the craquelure in the paler pigments of the sky which corresponds to the earlier of the two campaigns of retouching. Elsewhere there is minor scattered retouching to the foliage and throughout the background. This is concentrated at the base of the most prominent tree on the right hand escarpment, coupled with strengthening to the modelling of the horses and the figures below. There is also some retocuhing to what appears to be several old horizontal surface abrasions in the lower left. FRAME Held in a grand neo-classical style gilt wood frame. To speak to a specialist about this lot please contact Julian Gascoigne on +44 (0)207 293 5482, or at julian.gascoigne@sothebys.com, or Ludo Shaw Stewart on +44 (0)207 293 5816, or at ludovic.shawstewart@sothebys.com.
"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."

Taken from Act I, Scene 3 of Shakespeare's Macbeth, this painting illustrates the meeting between Macbeth, Banquo and the three witches on a heath following the formers' victory over the traitor Macdonwald. It is this encounter, and the prophecy which the witches impart, which sets in train the tragic events of the rest of the play; the three old women greeting Macbeth successively as 'Thane of Glamis', 'Thane of Cawdor' and 'King hereafter'.