136 - Jean-François Portaëls

Jean-François Portaëls (Belgian, 1818-1895) Saint Cecilia, 1860 oil on canvas signed JF Portaels and dated (center left) 39 1/4 x 32 3/8 in. (99.7 x 82.2 cm) Sold to Benefit King University, Bristol, Tennessee This lot is located in Chicago. Framed: 48 1/2 x 41 1/2 in. Canvas is wax-lined. Moderate deposits of surface dirt and dust. Network of craquelures throughout, with associated fill visible in areas of the background and the saint's robe. Stretcher bar marks around the image perimeter and extending horizontally through the center, accompanied by craquelures. Pinpoint to small paint losses in scattered areas of the upper right corner; a thin line of pinpoint paint losses with additional pinpoint paint losses around it in the upper left corner; intermittent small paint losses along the right and left edges. Areas of inpainting in scattered throughout, most visible in two small areas along the lower center edge, a line in the center left, and through upper right of background. Under a highly reflective varnish. Under UV light: the thick varnish fluoresces unevenly, making it difficult to discern all inpainting. Inpainting is visible in areas, however including a vertical line extending through the saint's right cheek and lines of inpainting to her hair on the left, as well as several small areas to her right shoulder; strokes of inpainting throughout the upper right and left corners, and into the center left. Additional images available upon request.