Edwin Frederick Holt

Oil on artists board. Crease in top left corner with thin line of loss around corner which is visible In catalogue. Uv reveals small scattered retouches in beard, forehead, and white turban, mostly in craquelure for reinforcement. Paint quality is very fresh as is varnish and could be hung in its current state.
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.

Edwin Frederick Holt painted in variety of genres, showing at the Royal Academy from 1854 to 1858 pictures of classical and biblical subjects as well as more modern ones.  At the exhibitions of the Royal Society of British artists he was more active, exhibiting numerous works from 1850 to 1865, similarly varied, but including a number of paintings with "eastern" themes.  This portrait of an bearded and turbaned Indian man, painted on an artist's paperboard, is executed with extreme freedom and brio, and would appear to have been done quickly and from life.