- 95
Attributed to Johann Zoffany R.A. and Studio
Estimate
30,000 - 40,000 USD
bidding is closed
Description
- Johann Zoffany R.A. and Studio
- Portrait of Mr. and Mrs. James Blew and their three children in an elegant interior
- inscribed on the reverse in old handwriting: Mr. and Mrs. James Blew and/family painted by Zoffany/from the collection (of) the late/Rev. W.J. Blew of Warwick St/Charing Cross
- oil on canvas
Provenance
Rev. William John Blew (1808-1894), London;
Lord Mount Stephen;
Bequeathed by Lady Mount Stephen to Lady Northcliffe, 1933;
Lady Hudson, G.B.E., Downshire House, Roehampton, by 1936;
By whom bequeathed to Major Robert O'Brien, M.V.O., T.D.;
By whom sold, London, Sotheby's, 6 July 1966, lot 67, to Jenkins for £17,000;
With Payne Ltd.
By whom anonymously sold, New York, 4 June 1980, lot 224 (as by Zoffany);
There purchased by the present owner.
Lord Mount Stephen;
Bequeathed by Lady Mount Stephen to Lady Northcliffe, 1933;
Lady Hudson, G.B.E., Downshire House, Roehampton, by 1936;
By whom bequeathed to Major Robert O'Brien, M.V.O., T.D.;
By whom sold, London, Sotheby's, 6 July 1966, lot 67, to Jenkins for £17,000;
With Payne Ltd.
By whom anonymously sold, New York, 4 June 1980, lot 224 (as by Zoffany);
There purchased by the present owner.
Exhibited
London, 25 Park Lane (residence of Sir Philip Sassoon), Conversation Pieces, 1930, no. 67.
Literature
S. Sitwell, Conversation Pieces, Edinburgh 1936, pp. 37-38, p. 97, cat. no. 43, reproduced fig. 43 (as by Zoffany);
M. Webster, "A Conversation Piece by Zoffany," in Connoisseur, vol. 160, December 1965, pp. 230-231, reproduced (as by Zoffany, circa 1771-72, with possible intervention of a second hand in the execution of the child seated on the floor).
M. Webster, "A Conversation Piece by Zoffany," in Connoisseur, vol. 160, December 1965, pp. 230-231, reproduced (as by Zoffany, circa 1771-72, with possible intervention of a second hand in the execution of the child seated on the floor).
Condition
The canvas has an old glue relining which is stable and firmly stretched. The paint surface overall is good beneath a clear varnish. There is a small compound tear of approx. 1 by 1 in. in the right elbow of the seated girl, left of center and two very minor losses of approx. 1/8 in. to the background, one to the right of the curtain and the other to the right of the door frame. There is a fine surface scratch running 2 in. vertically from above the latter and another running 3 in. diagonally through the background from the lady's red skirt at right. Inspection under UV reveals very minor retouched losses in the background and carpet and particularly concentrated in the areas surrounding the figures. There are very minor retouches in the clothing of the figures and attending the craquelure in the faces of the lady and the two girls at center.
Offered in a carved gilt wood frame.
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.
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.