Lot 310
- 310
Austrian School, late 18th Century
Estimate
5,000 - 8,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- Portrait of an Austrian Officer, probably Joseph Franz Graf Canto d'Yrlès (1726/31 - 1797), wearing the badge of the order of Maria Theresia, pointing at a map of the city of Mantova
- oil on canvas in a carved and parcel gilt frame incorporating fleur de lis and martial motifs
Condition
The canvas has been relined.
The paint surface is clean, secure, and retains much of the original impasto in the officer's uniform. There is a small, old restored damage to the right of the sitter's nose, but this has been senstively retouched and is supported to the rear of the canvas. Some other retouchings to the sitter's clothing, right hand and around the margins of the painting can also be discerned with the naked eye but again these are sensitively done.
Inspection under UV light, though impeded by the varnish on the painting, confirms the extensive retouchings around the margins of the work, particularly along the left hand edge, and the fairly extensive spot retouchings to the sitter. Aside from the small, aforementioned damage, the sitter's face remains largely untouched.
Offered in a carved wood, part painted frame in good condition with no major losses.
"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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
We are grateful to Dr. Michael Hochedlinger, from the Austrian State Archives, for suggesting that the sitter may be Joseph Count Canto d'Yrlès (1726 /1731 - 1797), Feldmarschall-Leutnant and Commander of the Order, who directed the (luckless) defence of Mantua against the French in 1796, for which feat of arms he was decorated with the Commander's cross on 10 August 1796.