Jean-Léon Gérôme

Petr Boutkine, Moscow (1865-1933; Russian diplomat at the consulate in Brussels)
Boussod Valadon & Cie, Paris, no. 28384 (purchased from the above)
Baron von Westenholz, Hamburg (purchased from the above on 18 August 1905)
Private collection, Germany

Gerald M. Ackerman, The Life and Work of Jean-Léon Gérôme, with a catalogue raisonné, 1986, London, p. 290, no. 497
Gerald M. Ackerman, Jean-Léon Gérôme: monographie révisée, catalogue raisonné mis à jour, 2000, London, p. 362, no. 498, catalogued (as lost)

The panel has been cradled and appears to be flat, even, and ensuring a stable support. There are some very fine lines of drying craquelure visible in the red garment around the man's legs, and one fine scratch - which appears to be superficial - is also visible in the centre of the top framing edge. Ultra-violet light reveals some very minor spots of cosmetic retouching around the aforementioned scratch (some of which are somewhat discoloured and also visible to the naked eye upon close inspection), some isolated spots along the extreme right framing edge possibly addressing frame rubbing, and one fine line of in-painting in the red garment addressing craquelure. It should be noted these retouchings are all minor and very carefully applied. This work is in good condition and ready to hang. Presented in a decorative gilt frame with a nameplate.
"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."

Arnauts, hailing from Albania, were among the bashi-bazouks or mercenaries of diverse origin employed by the Ottoman army (see lot 15). Of particular interest to Gérôme, Arnauts pervaded his work from the late 1850s onwards. They could stand as figures for Ottoman authority, as in Egyptian Recruits Crossing the Desert (1857 Salon), in which Arnauts lead forced conscripts on their march; or represent Muslim piety, as in Prayer in the House of an Arnaut Chief (1857 Salon). In a different vein, in the present work - like many others that show Arnauts relaxing, playing chess, or dancing and merry-making - the Arnaut is glimpsed off guard, taking refreshment from a fountain in a shady street.