Edward Middleditch, R.A.

Beaux Arts Gallery, London, where acquired by the present owners, 1960

London, Beaux Arts Gallery, Edward Middleditch, April - May 1960, cat. no.23, illustrated;
Norwich, Castle Museum, Edward Middleditch, 18th July - 6th September 1987, cat. no.43, illustrated, with tour to Nottingham University Art Gallery, Nottingham, Gainsborough's House, Sudbury, Mappin Art Gallery, Sheffield, Plymouth Art Gallery, Plymouth and Serpentine Gallery, London.

Original canvas, there is a repaired tear visible when viewed from the reverse measuring 1 ½ in. in length in the bottom right hand quadrant, visible when viewed from the reverse. This is not immediately apparent when viewing the work recto. The canvas undulates slightly along the bottom edge; in the top right hand corner and in the lower right hand quadrant. There is minor surface dirt and some isolated flecks of surface matter. There is a faint cross stretcher bar mark visible in raking light, and cracking to isolated areas of the thicker areas of white impasto in the centre left of the composition, with further fine cracks to the lower left quadrant. There is fine cracking visible in line with the aforementioned vertical stretcher bar, visible in the bottom centre of the composition. There is a very faint minor surface scratch running diagonally in the lower left hand corner, with one or two further dark scratches in the bottom half of the composition, visible upon close inspection. Ultraviolet light reveals a minor band of ultraviolet light along the extreme upper left edge, and in the bottom right hand corner, which appear in keeping with the nature of the artist's materials; a further couple of spots in the middle of the right hand edge, which do suggest retouchings; a small further area surrounding the aforementioned puncture mark in the centre of the bottom right hand edge, as well as further minor spots of fluorescence, which again appear in keeping with the nature of the materials. Housed in a thin gilt wood frame. Please telephone the department on +44 (0) 207 293 6424 if you have any questions regarding the present lot.
"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."