Purchased by an ancestor of the present owner, circa 1920.

The following condition report has been provided by Simon Parkes of Simon Parkes Art Conservation, Inc. 502 East 74th St. New York, NY 212-734-3920, simonparkes@msn.com , an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. This young lad is in very good condition. The canvas has an old glue lining and the cracks are raised, and so a new lining will certainly improve the painting. The painting is extremely dirty but beneath the dirt layer there is an old varnish. The painting is generally very well preserved and if the cleaning were to be properly carried out and the lining reversed, very little retouching would be required. There are a few losses in the waist of the child, in the background by the snout of the dog, around the edges and in the sky to the left of the barrel of the gun, but overall this is a picture in extremely good condition.
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.