International Fine Art Auction

DISCLAIMER Apologies for the length of the disclaimer. It may be very helpful in explaining how we judge condition and interpreting what we mean by certain words or phrases in our condition reports that may be a kind of shorthand for longer explanations. DISCLAIMER If the condition report states "Good condition, good appearance" or the like with nothing further, it is our opinion that the painting appears to have little to no restoration and does not appear to be lined. Craquelure will be described in condition reports if it seems, in our opinion, to be extensive, separated, or obtrusive, especially for its date. All oils, especially earlier examples, must be assumed to have some craquelure. Loss of intensity or color in watercolors will be mentioned only if it seems, in our opinion, to be significant or obtrusive. Almost every watercolor has some loss of intensity from aging and direct or indirect light over time. We qualify those pictures we feel to be in mint condition with the term "mint or nearly mint", "pristine or nearly pristine", "little or no restoration", "little or no restoration, probably none", or the like, in order to avoid problems arising from differences of opinion and interpretation. We use "restoration" to mean inpaint or overpaint, and treat lining and thinness (or overcleaning/loss of paint surface) as issues separate from restoration. "Very minor scattered restoration" means it seems to us almost not worth mentioning; "minor scattered restoration" means a bit more. "Scattered restoration" by itself may mean anything from several scattered spots to many scattered spots, but none of these is usually or particularly meaningful or bothersome. Unless very serious, we usually don't include thinness of surface paint in most condition reports because, again, it is often a matter of opinion and taste. The problem would have to be very obvious to the naked eye to be included. We do not mention minor ghosts of a crease or line on the surface caused by a stretcher on the back unless it is in some way atypical or impacts significantly on the surface. If an image is painted directly on Masonite, board, canvasboard or the like, it is not considered lined and therefore nothing about its being lined is mentioned in condition reports. Barridoff Galleries tries to distinguish between works painted directly on such supports and those canvases that are laid down on such supports, but does not guarantee the type of support or lining. In general, if the lining or relining is not mentioned, it means that we do not believe it is lined. Although we will answer as best we can any questions in regard to the surface, if the buyer has questions about it, he or she is cautioned to examine the work under consideration in person or have an expert look at it for him/her. If a condition report includes no mention of lining, the subject artwork is probably not lined or is painted directly on a hard surface such as a wood panel. No one representing Barridoff Galleries is a qualified expert in regard to condition or restoration. While we do our best to provide an accurate description of condition no matter the medium, our description is in no way to be understood as a guarantee. Again, bidders are herein advised to examine any item in the sale prior to bidding in person and/or to have a qualified restorer of his/her own choosing do so for them. The Conditions of Sale found on the inside front cover and on page 4 of the catalogue (as well as on the Barridoff online catalogue on severtal sites) also preclude any statements made in any other fashion and in any regard. Condition reports are in no way to be considered a guarantee of any kind. Our expertise in regard to condition is limited. This is particularly true of works on paper (including photographs), sculpture, and, most particularly of all, Old Masters. Those very few, if any, paintings whose condition reports may be more extensive and in need of more technical terms, are done by or with the help of a professional restorer. However, this disclaimer applies to all condition reports.

If the condition report only states Good condition, good appearance or the like with nothing further, it is our opinion that the painting appears to have little to no restoration and does not appear to be lined. Craquelure will be described in condition reports if it seems, in our opinion, to be extensive, separated, or obtrusive, especially for its date. All oils, especially earlier examples, must be assumed to have some craquelure. Loss of intensity or color in watercolors will be mentioned only if it seems, in our opinion, to be significant or obtrusive. Almost every watercolor has some loss of intensity from aging and direct or indirect light over time. We qualify those pictures we feel to be in mint condition with the term mint or nearly mint, pristine or nearly pristine, little or no restoration, little or no restoration, probably none, or the like, in order to avoid problems arising from differences of opinion and interpretation. We use estoration to mean inpaint or overpaint, and treat lining and thinness (or overcleaningloss of paint surface) as issues separate from restoration. Very minor scattered restoration means it seems to us almost not worth mentioning; minor scattered restoration means a bit more. Scattered restoration alone may mean anything from several scattered spots to many scattered spots, but none of these is usually or particularly meaningful or bothersome. Unless very serious, we usually don't include thinness of surface paint in most condition reports because, again, it is often a matter of opinion and taste. The problem would have to be very obvious to the naked eye to be included. We do not mention minor ghosts of a crease or line on the surface caused by a stretcher unless it is in some way atypical or impacts significantly on the surface. If an image is painted directly on Masonite, board, canvasboard or the like, it is not considered lined and therefore nothing about its being lined is mentioned in condition reports. Barridoff Galleries tries to distinguish between works painted directly on such supports and those canvases that are laid down on such supports, but does not guarantee the type of support or lining. In general, if the lining or relining is not mentioned, it means that we do not believe it is lined. Although we will answer as best we can any questions in regard to the surface, if the buyer has questions about it, he or she is cautioned to examine the work under consideration in person or have an expert look at it for himher. If a condition report includes no mention of lining, the subject artwork is probably not lined or is painted directly on a hard surface such as a panel. No one representing Barridoff Galleries is a qualified expert in regard to condition or restoration. While we do our best to provide an accurate description of condition no matter the medium, our description is in no way to be understood as a guarantee. Again, bidders are herein advised to examine any item in the sale prior to bidding in person andor to have a qualified restorer of hisher own choosing do so for them. The Conditions of Sale found on the inside front cover and on page 4 of the catalogue (as well as on our online catalogue) also preclude any statements made in any other fashion and in any regard. Condition reports are in no way to be considered a guarantee of any kind. Our expertise in regard to condition is limited. This is particularly true of works on paper (including photographs), sculpture, and, most particularly of all, Old Masters. Those very few, if any, paintings whose condition reports may be more extensive and technical, are done by or with the help of a professional restorer. However, this disclaimer applies to all condition reports. If you would like more specific detail about condition, please ask by email or phone.