Rudolf Ernst

The Carroll Galleries, London
Sale: Christie's, New York, October 11, 1979, lot 106, illustrated
Private Collection
Thence by descent to the present owners (since 1989)

The following condition report was kindly provided by Simon Parkes Art Conservation, Inc.: This work is on a large healthy panel made from two sections of wood. The panel still shows its original reinforcements, which run horizontally across the top and bottom. The join runs vertically through the center and is very slightly visible toward the top of the picture. The paint layer is clean and varnished. There seems to be no damage to the paint layer. There are no retouches except for a spot or two in the right end of the sofa. The picture is in beautiful condition and should be hung as is.
"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."

In the 1880s Rudolf Ernst travelled to Spain, Morocco, and Tunisia which likely inspired his turn from conventional portraits and genre scenes to Orientalist subjects by 1885.  Works like La favorite were painted in the artist’s Paris studio and with the aid of sketches, photographs, and souvenirs accumulated during his travels.  Ernst assembles such “exotic” items in the present work to support his romantic narrative of a couple hand in hand looking into one another’s eyes, the leisurely pursuits of music and smoking forgotten.