The picture is lined, with all keys present and good tension. Some small splits to the corners of the linign canvas. There is fresh worm damage to the frame. Original tacking margins have been removed. Small old and fresher losses visible to the left and top edges where the picture has moved in the frame slightly. Some retouched.

There is an old brittle age craquelure throughout, with some very slight elevation in passages of thicker paint for example the face, but barely noticable and appears secure with no real history of flaking and loss. There are numerous minor old filled and retouched losses mostly to the background. There is a passage of cracks to the left top edge in the trees that have been opened up slighly by cleaning in the past.

The picture has been partially cleaned, removing the thick old yellowed and opaque varnish from the face, neck, sky and some of the drapery. It is difficult to see exactly what is happening in the background due to the obscuring varnish which is slightly broken up in places. Possibly further old restoration. However, there are scattered old losses including one patch of fresher cracking paint 1.5 inches right of the head, a small lifting filling to the hair to the left of the pearls, in the red curtain top right corner, and a possible retouching in a horizontal line above the head.

The old varnish has left greeny yellow patches in places, for example in the darker glazes of the blue boddice, and to the right of the elbow. Some of the old varnish has been left on to the left of the sitter's face which is visible pooled in the troughs of the canvas/brushstrokes.

There are passages of more recent retouching to the bottom left of the dress, and further patches of dark overpaint to the bottom of the dress. There has also been some possible loss of glazes or pigment degredation in this area as the blue has a greyish hue.

There is slight abrasion to the ringlet over the shoulder and in the right hand proper, but the sitter is in generally nice condition.

There is a fairly patchy and uneven surface gloss, and surface dirt and debris.

Examined in frame

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.