RICHARD ANSDELL, R.A. | Market Square, Seville

Thomas Agnew & Sons, London
M. Racaj (acquired in London, 1943)
Salinas y Rocha, Querétaro, Mexico 
Nicolas Gonzalez Jáuregui, Querétaro, Mexico

The following condition report was kindly provided by Simon Parkes Art Conservation, Inc.: This large work is in very good condition. It has not been recently cleaned. The canvas is not lined and does not need to be. There are no noticeable cracks and only a hint of a stretcher mark running vertically through the center. Some instability had developed in the past along the bottom edge. There are restored losses running across all of the bottom edge, particularly in the lower right but also quite noticeably in the lower left. The signature in the lower left seems to be mostly undisturbed by these restorations, except between the "e" and "l" of Ansdell, where there is an old restoration. There are some small losses running vertically down the right side in the light colored wall, entering into the shoulder of the seated figure and down to the lower right corner. The work can be safely cleaned, which would only reveal old retouches along the bottom edge. The paint layer could then be consolidated along the bottom edge and accurately retouched, which would make the painting ready to hang. The work is otherwise in excellent condition, and will improve notably with proper restoration.
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.

Standing in the shadow of La Giralda, the bell tower of the Cathedral of Seville visible at left, the subjects of Market Square, Seville are likely Romani, colloquially known as gitanos, a population closely associated with Andalusian culture and music. Gitano culture was idealized and celebrated in popular novels such as Prosper Mérimée’s novella Carmen, published in serial form in 1845 to great fanfare and the inspiration for the Georges Bizet opera of the same name. Perhaps these romantic depictions of Andalusia drew Richard Ansdell to Seville in 1856. Recognized for his paintings of cattle in the cool, misty Scottish highlands, he had established his reputation as the finest Victorian animal painter after Sir Edwin Landseer. This sun-drenched Market Square, Seville, with its festively costumed bull and a pack-mule bearing oranges, provided a vivid counterpoint to his previous subjects.