Technique

The panel does not appear to have an undercoat, and the wood shows through the thin paint. There are signs of pentimenti, and in particular, it is possible that there was originally a seated figure, sitting at the right end of the sofa and facing forward (if it is not a figure then there are some very odd shapes and shadows in the upper right area).

The figure and sofa are painted rather untidily, with jerky strokes of a soft, pointed brush, on the reddish panel. The strongly rounded shape of her curved hip was painted and outlined carefully. Long strokes with a broader brush were used for the white sofa.

Conservation History

Unknown. The surface has suffered some minor damage. There is a little paint loss at the upper right edge. The panel was framed at an unknown date with a narrow strip of beading on all sides.

Frame

ca 1930: framed in America by M. Grieve, in a Grau-style frame. 1 An impressed inscription on the verso of the frame reads: 'GRIEVE CO / HAND CARVED / NEW YORK & LONDON'.