Rudolf Ernst

Sale: Gros & Delettrez, Paris, 23 June 2008, lot 48
Purchased at the above sale by the present owner

This painting is in good overall condition and is ready to hang. The panel is flat and stable, and is cradled with 2 horizontal bars on the reverse the lower of which is now lost. There is a faint surface scuff circa 2cm above the rear camel and one circa 7cm above the signature. Ultraviolet light reveals signs of retouching notably in the sky along part of the extreme upper and right edges and vertical strokes in the ground below and around the front camel's legs, and scattered clusters of small spots, including in the leftmost man and the carriage. In some areas the old varnish fluoresces opaquely, obscuring a clear reading of the surface, however these areas do not appear to conceal notable retouching. Held in a decorative gilt Orientalist frame, with Arabic script motifs.
"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 palanquin of the title refers to the covered litter or sedan chair for one person carried on two horizontal poles by two camels. The identity of the passenger inside remains unkown; however to judge from the ornate carriage and the armed guard accompanying it, it is a personnage of some importance. The rocky desert landscape is evocative of parts of the Sinai in Egypt, although the Nubian escort may be from further south.