English School, 18th Century
Portrait of a gentleman, half length, wearing grey robes, within a painted oval
oil on canvas
76.2 x 63.4cm (30 x 24 15/16in).

The canvas has been relined. The varnish is dirty and scuffed. The paint surface is thin in parts. There are scattered losses and infillings throughout. In raking light it is possible to see pressure marks from the stretcher. In strong light it is possible to see retouching and infilling to the craquelure to the sitter's face. There is a small area of restoration to the background, upper-right, approx. 4cm x 1cm.

Inspection under UV light is hindered by the thick varnish, but it is still possible to see: the aforementioned infillings and restorations to the background and sitter's face; some retouching to the sitter's costume; and further scattered infillings throughout; further restoration cannot be excluded.