Henryk Siemiradzki

The artist's estate
Thence by descent to the present owners 

The canvas is original and the paint layer is unvarnished. There is a light covering of surface dirt and some surface scratches in places. Very minor craquelure is visible in the reclining figure and in the rocks above her. There is a vertical crack running the length of the painting approximately 10cm from the right edge. Frame abrasions along the edges have resulted in minor paint loss, most notably in the lower left corner. There are pin holes in each corner and in some places at the edges. The reverse of the canvas bears a Polish export stamp, and the stretcher an exhibition label in Polish. Examination under UV light reveals no apparent signs of restoration. Held in a gold-coloured frame. Unexamined out of 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. 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."

Jan Kudrewicz, the great-grandfather of the current owner, was a friend of Henryk Siemiradzki. The Siemiradzki family would often visit the Kudrewiczs on their estate in Keidan, in present-day Lithuania, where the artist would paint portraits of their friends and family. The unfinished portrait in this catalogue is believed to depict Walerjan Zawisza Linkowiec, a neighbouring landowner.

According to family lore, Stanislawa the youngest daughter of Kudrewicz and Leon, the youngest son of Siemiradzki, were sweethearts from childhood. Like her father, Stanislawa was drawn to the Eternal City and after they married the couple left Poland for Rome where they lived out the rest of their days. When they died childless, Siemiradzki's estate passed on to Stanislawa’s nephew Edward Kudrewicz, the father of the present owners, who in 1979 donated the majority to the National Museum in Krakow where they now form part of the Sukiennice Collection. By the Spring and Portrait of a Man said to be Walerjan Zawisza Linkowiec are two of the few paintings which were kept by the family. Girl on a Swing was given to the Kudrewicz family by the artist as a token of his friendship.