John Nost Sartorius

With Arthur Ackermann & Son, New York;
Anonymous sale ('The Property of a Gentleman'), Sotheby's, 15 March 1967, lot 60, to Mrs Inmann for £1,400 (illustrated).

The picture is lighter in colour and fresher in tone than the catalogue illustration would suggest. The canvas appears to have been sensitively relined and the paint surface appears to be in good overall condition with no apparent damage or loss of paint visible to the naked eye except for minor flecks of scattered cosmetic retouching to the darker pigments and two very minor losses of paint in the tail of the backmost mounted horses and to the edge of the darker rock lower left, both of which can be seen in the catalogue illustration. There is also a discoloured varnish overall. Examination under ultraviolet confirms the presence of this mottled varnish and confirms the aforementioned scattered flecks of cosmetic retouhing to the landscape and horses. There is also some minor scattered cosmetic retouching in the sky and to old stretcher bar marks. Overall though the painting is in good ready to hang condition. Offered in a gilt wood and plaster frame in good overall 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. 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."