Louis-Philippe, Duc d'Orléans and future King of France (1773-1850; reg. 1830-48), and said to be by descent until circa 1970;
With Julius Wietzner;
By whom sold, Vaduz, Stabilmento Falivo, July 1983, (as "a version after the Louvre painting"), for $ 50,000, to t꧃he present owner.

J. Vatout, Catalogue Historique et Descriptif des Tableaux Appartenants a S.A.S Mgr. Le duc d'Orléans, Paris 1825-1826, vol. IV, p. 536 (under Tableux Sans Numéros, as Anonymous).

The canvas was relined in London in, or very close to 1971. The inscriptions on the relining canvas are copied exactly from the original canvas, as explained by the restorers in private correspondence (see catalogue note for further detail). The picture is in very nice condition and can be hung in its present state. There are a few minor retouches applied in small areas, such as in the painted portrait by the ceiling, upper right. Another very small retouch is applied to the drapery of the standing figure at right in a red coat. Good retention of paint, in overall good condition. In a carved and giltwood frame with a small loss in the lower right corner.
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.

The composition depicts the Salon des Quatre-Glaces at the Palais du Temple (destroyed), the Paris home of Louis Francois I de Bourbon, Prince de Conti (1717-1776) with the young Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart at the harpsichord and the French operatic tenor Pierre Jélyotte (1713-1797) holding a guitar, and other figures of the court.  The event took place during the summer of 1766 when the young Mozart, then just ten years old, came to France for a second time with his father and sister; they arrived in Paris on May 20^th and departed on July 9^th and were received with great enthusiasm.

The prime version of this composition, originally in the collection of the Prince de Conti and seized during the Revolution, is in the Musée National du Château et des Trianons, Versailles (oil on canvas, 54 by 70 cm.).  A third version, now in a private collection, was probably commissioned by the Count of Chabot, future Duke of Rohan, who is depicted in the painting standing near the young Mozart (see the catalogue of the exhibition, l'Isle-Adam, Musee d'art et d'histoire, Les tresors des Princes de Bourbon Conti, March 28-Oc🍌tober 1, 2000, p. 29).  Assuming that the transcription on the present painting is cor𝓰rect, this version was painted some four years after the original.