CHESTER HARDING (AMERICAN, 1792-1866) PORTRAIT OF SARAH HALE FOSTER. Oil on canvas. Unsigned. Bearing an inscription en verso with artist's attribution and the date 1840 Canvas: 27'' x 22'' Frame: 34'' x 28''

This piece has had some restoration. The canvas has been restretched and relined. To the naked eye there is significant impasto cursing and the surface is very flat. There are some signs of repaired cracks and possible tears. This is very faint and visible upon close inspection. There are signs of previous paint flaking and loss on the bottom 5" of the painting, concentrated on the figure's dress. In this area there are several .25" - 1" diameter areas of paint loss with visible over pairing to the surface that is a slightly yellower shade. There is some more light paint loss on the edge of the painting where the frame is rubbing the surface. Under backlight there is a significant vanish layer masking any restoration not detectable to the naked eye. This painting ground is very stable from heating and varnish. There is some light yellowing/darkening to the canvas from the varnish layer. There are a few light pen tip sized slight scuffs to the painting with pigment loss.