Estate of the artist (and sold, his posthumous sale, Hôtel Drouot, Paris, January 22, 1887, lot 13)
Collection Guérin, Paris (acquired at the above sale)
Sale: Maître Yves Peron, Barbizon, June 9, 1990, lot 136, illustrated
Claude Aubry, Paris
Acquired from the above by the present owner

Pierre and Rolande Miquel, Narcisse Diaz de la Peña, catalogue raisonné de l’oeuvre peint, Paris, 2006, vol. II , p. 473, no. 2888, illustrated

Strip lined. Overall the surface is clean, fresh and bright. Fine, barely perceptible craquelure is visible in the lighter pigments. There is an upside down 'L' shaped repaired tear in the sky between the two figures' heads, with evidence of this repair verso. Under UV: a varnish fluoresces green unevenly, of which the figures and sky have been mostly cleaned. Finely applied dashes, dots and pinpoint dots of retouching widely scattered in the foliage, sky, and near the upper edge, with inpainting to address the aforementioned repaired tear. There are a few isolated, finely applied retouches on and around the figures, with a concentrated small area under Adonis' proper right eye, and strengthening to the outer contours of Venus' proper left leg and the underside of her proper right foot.
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.