GUSTAVE DE SMET | Femme au manteau

Tony Herbert, Kortrijk (acquired directly from the artist)
Thence by descent to the present owner

Brussels, Palais des Beaux-Arts, Gustave de Smet 1877-1943, 1950, no. 74
Ostend, Casino, De vrouw in de kunst, 1952, no. 49
Leuven, Universitair Kunstcentrum, Synthese van het Vlaams Expressionisme, 1955, no. 24
Ghent, Musée des Beaux-Arts (& travelling to La Hague, Hasselt, Ostend, Groningen and Charleroi), Verzameling Tony Herbert, 1957, no. 14, illustrated in the catalogue
Louvain, 1957, no. 14
Boitsfort, Maison Haute, Gustave de Smet, 1959, no. 21
Ostend, Feestpaleis, Museum voor Schone Kunsten, Het Vlaams expressionisme, 1961, no. 33
Antwerp, Koninklijk Museum voor Schnoe Kunsten, Gustave de Smet, Retrospectieve tentoonstelling, 1961, no. 244, illustrated in the catalogue fig. 74 p. 147
Deurle, Museum Dhont-Dhaenens, The Tony Herbert Collection, 2011

Paul-Gustave van Hecke & Emile Langui, Gustave de Smet, sa vie et son œuvre, Brussels, 1945, illustrated pl. 35 (under the title Portrait de femme)
Leo van Puyvelde, Gustave de Smet, Antwerp, 1949, no. 21, illustrated np.
Piet Boyens, Gust. De Smet, Chronique et Analyse de l'œuvre, Antwerp, 1989, no. 1052, illustrated p. 246

It has not been possible to see the work entirely unframed. The canvas is not lined and undulating slightly. There is a thick and milky varnish preventing UV light from fully penetrating, however examination appears to reveal no evidence of retouching. There are a few hairline lines of stable craquelure in places, notably in the beige pigment. Surface is a bit dirty. There is a superficial scratch (approx. 10 cm long) running horizontally across the lower left quadrant. Impasto is rich. This work is in overall very good condition and could benefit from a light clean.
"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."