Follower of Anne Vallayer-Coster Le retour du bal masqué (The...

Property from a Swiss Private Collection

Follower of Anne Vallayer-Coster
Le retour du bal masqué (The return from the masquerade ball)

oil on canvas
unframed: 63.1 x 76 cm.; 24⅞ x 29⅞ in.
framed: 74.7 x 87.7 cm.; 29⅜ x 34½ in.

Condition Report:
The canvas is lined, the paint surface is relatively clean and the varnish is clear. Passages of well preserved impasto are to be found in the still life elements of the composition, notably the book and roses. Fine lines of scattered discoloured retouchings are visible throughout the composition, notably in the background, draped curtain, one of the roses and white tablecloth. Inspection under ultraviolet light confirms the above and further reveals further fine lines of retouching, mostly concentrated in the upper left and right quarters of the work, surrounding the mandolin, and scattered throughout the foreground. A more concentrated area of restoration follows the upper half of the mirror and a vertical line is visible along the upper margin to the left measuring approximately 6cm. Areas of the white table cloth in the foreground also fluoresce, possibly due to pigment deterioration. The painting presents well, is ready to hang and is in overall fair condition.

Provenance:
Albert Besnard, Paris;

Private collection, Paris, by 1970;

Thence by descent to the present owner.