Jules Ballavoine (French, 1855-1901). "Purity", oil on canvas laid down on masonite, signed upper left. Portrait painting of an elegant young beauty with long and flowing red hair, the figure presented at bust length turned at a slight angle to left with a blue headband to head holding white wild daisy flowers in her hair, her porcelain decolletage exposed above a soft white drape and cobalt blue drape secured to her body by a gilt rope over her left shoulder. Paper label to verso from William A. Faber Restoration of Chicago, Illinois. Framed approximately 32" x 28", unframed approximately 22.25" x 18.25". Provenance: Leslie Hindman Auctioneers, Chicago, Illinois, September 12, 2010 as lot 280 whereby sold and acquired by the Estate of Mary L. Haugk, Lawrenceville, Georgia.

Painting has been laid down. Craquelure to paint layer commensurate with age. three abrasions with paint loss to left edge and two to right edge, likely due to earlier tacking or framing method interfering with paint layer - not in view as currently framed. Under black light examination, overall green hue indicative of older varnish layer, in painting scattered throughout in repair of paint loss namely to decolletage, over right shoulder in hair, to right background above right shoulder, and four areas to the face, with other scattered and minor in paintings to background and subject. Paint layer stable.