Jean Jacques Henner

Mme Antoine Herzog, Logelbach (acquired from the artist, probably in 1880); thence by descent (sale: Hôtel Drouot, Paris, 6 June 1984, lot 53)
Private collection, Switzerland (purchased at the above sale)
Mitsukoshi Department Store, Nagoya
Acquired from the above by the present owner in 1989

Mulhouse, Exposition de la Société Industrielle, 1890, no. 137
Paris, Galerie Hopkins-Thomas, n. d.
Paris, Mitsukoshi Department Store, n. d.

Isabelle de Lannoy, Jean-Jacques Henner, 1829-1905, Paris, 1986, pp. 1002-1003, no. 459, illustrated
Isabelle de Lannoy, Catalogue Raisonné Jean-Jacques Henner, Paris, 2008, vol. I, p. 340, no. C.381, catalogued (as whereabouts unknown) & illustrated

The canvas has been strip lined and the back of the canvas appears to have been varnished. There are some very fine lines of craquelure, notably in the sitter's arms and neck; however these do appear to be stable. Ultra-violet light reveals areas of uneven fluorescence and scattered spots of retouching, notably in the arm and in the upper left quadrant, possibly addressing an old repair (circa 2 by 7cm patch on the reverse). The picture is overall in good condition and ready to hang. Presented glazed and in a dark wooden frame with inner slip.
"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."

The present composition obsessed Henner, who painted a number of large replicas including the present work, after the original shown at the Paris Salon of 1878 (Mulhouse, Musée des Beaux-Arts). The model for these compositions was Cécile Vathier, one of Henner's favourites.