Georges d'Espagnat

Joseph Durand-Ruel, Paris
Thence by descent

This work is in overall good condition. The canvases are original and the pigments are for the most part very clean and fresh. I) Paysage - Panneau de porte The canvas is strip-lined. There is a little surface dirt but the surface is otherwise well-preserved. Under UV light: small stroke of inpainting to extreme edge at center right. There is an old patch on the reverse of the bottom left edge but this does not appear to coincide with any restoration on the pictorial surface. This panel is in overall very good condition. II) Jeunes femmes au bord de la mer - Panneau de porte The canvas is not lined but slightly buckled in upper left corner. The pigments are bright and fresh. There is a thin horizontal surface scratch running from the right edge, toward the boats. Under UV light: there are two small spots of inpainting in the sky and some strokes of fluorescence in the lower left corner that are likely to address frame abrasion. This panel is in good condition. III) Jeunes femmes au bord de la mer - Panneau de porte The canvas is not lined but the stretcher is slightly warped. The pigments are bright and fresh. There is a little surface dirt. Under UV light: some strokes of fluorescence visible along the extreme perimeter which is possibly related to frame rubbing. This panel is in overall good condition. IV) Nature morte avec rose - Panneau de porte Canvas is not lined. Pigments are clean and fresh and impasto is well-preserved. Under UV light: 2 small restorations in the light green background pigment to upper left of center. This panel is in good condition. V) Nature morte avec bouquet de fleurs - Panneau de porte Canvas is not lined. Pigments are clean and fresh and impasto is well-preserved. Under UV light: no inpainting is apparent. This panel is in very good condition. VI) Bouquet de fleurs oranges - Panneau de porte The canvas has been strip-lined. There are faint horizontal stretcher marks toward the center of the composition. Under UV light: a few small strokes of inpainting in the background around the flower in lower center and toward lower left corner. This panel is in overall good condition. VII) Bouquet de fleurs jaunes - Panneau de porte The canvas is not lined but slightly buckled toward center right. There is a small indent to background toward upper right edge and another toward bottom center. Under UV light: minor retouching to stretcher marks and some cracking in the dark green pigment of the leaves. This panel is in generally good condition.
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.

These canvas panels were commissioned by Joseph Durand-Ruel and executed by d’Espagnat in 1900 as a decorative ensemble. The artist painted a total of nine works for the doors in the dining room of Joseph Durand-Ruel’s apartment at 37 rue de Rome, Paris.

 

 

I)
Paysage — Panneau de porte
Signed with the initals GdE (lower left)
Oil on canvas
17 3/8  by 55 1/8  in.
44 by 140 cm

II)
Jeunes femmes au bord de la mere — Panneau de porte 
Signed with the initals GdE (lower right)
Oil on canvas
54 3/8  by 18 1/2  in.
138 by 47 cm

III)
Jeunes femmes au bord de la mere — Panneau de porte 
Signed with the initals GdE (lower left)
Oil on canvas
54 3/8  by 18 1/2  in.
138 by 47 cm

IV)
Nature morte avec rose — Panneau de porte 
Signed with the initals GdE (lower left)
Oil on canvas
9 ⅞ by 18 ½ in.
25 by 47 cm 

V)
Nature morte avec bouquet de fleurs — Panneau de porte
Signed with the initals GdE (lower right)
Oil on canvas
9 ⅞ by 18 ½ in.
25 by 47 cm

VI)
Bouquet de fleurs oranges— Panneau de porte
Signed with the initals GdE (lower right)
Oil on canvas
23 ¼ by 18 ½ in.
59 by 47 cm 

VII)
Bouquet de fleurs jaunes — Panneau de porte
Signed with the initals GdE (lower right)
Oil on canvas
23 ¼ by 18 ½ in.
59 by 47 cm