John Francis Rigaud, R.A.

The canvas has been relined and is stable. There have been two campaigns of restoration, the older consists of infilling of craquelure, the newer campaign consists of scattered retouchings and repair along all the margins. The impasto is well-preserved.
"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."

A preliminary study for the larger canvas measuring 192 by 144 cm., painted by the young artist in Rome. In his memoirs the painter recounts with great detail his choice of subject matter, stating, 'if there should be any beauty in mine, I have endeavoured that it should consist in the composition and execution of the figures of which it is composed and not in anything else that would have been foreign to the subject'.¹ The final version was sold by the painter directly to J. F. Mahey, engineer and surveyor to the Duke of Parma.²

1. Sold Monaco, Sotheby's, 3 December 1989, lot 351, for FF700,000.

2. See S.F.D. Rigaud, 'Facts and Recollections of the XVIIIth Century in a memoir of John Francis Rigaud', in W. L. Pressly (ed.), Walpole Society, vol. 50, 1984, pp. 47–48.