A) The Huntsman Return

One key missing, good tension to the canvas.

Prominent stretcher bar marks in places, with some associated cracking. Widespread brittle age and impact cracquelure throughout, with some lifting and flaking in patches, much of which appears to have been treated previously. Some active lifting and flaking in the sky above the horse's withers, to the right of the hind leg, in the shadow of the same hoof, and there are a few scattered small unrestored losses, for example to the rear leg of the horse. Old minor restored losses to top edge.

Some abrasion/wear to the upper paint layers especially in the horse's far foreleg, hind haunch and leg of the left hand hound and behind the fence on the left in the woods, and to the tops of the trees. Parts of the surface/paint layers appear slightly broken up/crizzled, with cotton wool embedded in places. These scatter the light and appear more matte.

There is some old ingrained old dirt and varnishe, particularly evindent in the troughts of the impasted paint. Some minor transfer of gold from frame at to edge. The old varnish has been partially removed, and an even upper varnish applied. There is a light layer of surface dirt/debris.

B) In Full Cry

All keys, present and the canvas has good tension. Slight stretcher bar marks and associated cracking. Patches of finescale brittle age and impact craquelure, currently secure but there has been a history of finescale flaking which has been consolidated and some of which has been retouched. This gives the surface a broken up/crizzled appearance that is matt in patches. Several larger lines of cracking and flaking from impacts, notably to the middle of the sky, and a long line through the back of the right hound towards the outer edge. This has cracked and flaked and been retouched but is raised (see images in raking light). Possibly some paint from paint flaking in the head of the huntsman.

Scattered unrestored small losees, and some further small restored losses, for example in a line through the left hand hounds leg and flank, to the horse's hoof and coat.

There are patches of abrasion/wear to the upper paint layers in patches, such as the top right corner of the sky, top left of sky, horse's muzzle, and to the signature.

Both examined in frame.

There is scattered white debris in the surface, and old ingrained dirt and varnish, which has been partially cleaned.

We are happy to provide Condition Reports to prospective buyers, but would welcome your request as soon as possible, preferably at least 48 hours before the Day of Sale. We cannot guarantee a reply to any requests made within 48 hours of the start of the auction. The absence of a Condition Report from a lot does not mean that the lot is in perfect condition. A Condition Report is an honest expression of our opinion, not a statement of fact and is provided as a service to the seller. All lots are available on public view ahead of an auction and we encourage prospective buyers to inspect an item in person where possible. Our Condition Reports are not prepared by professional conservators, restorers, or engineers, and are prepared with the naked eye unless otherwise stated.

Regarding Pictures, Prints and Works on Paper, works are not examined out of the frame, unless specifically stated. Tennants Auctioneers do not cover damage to gilded wood or plaster picture frames, or to picture frame glass whilst the item is in our possession.

We accept no liability for the opinions expressed in any Condition Report.