Erskine Nicol (Scottish, 1825-1904) Mental Arithmetic

Description:

Erskine Nicol (Scottish, 1825-1904)

Mental Arithmetic
Signed and dated "ENicol.ARA 1869" vertically, lower left, titled on a presentation plaque.
Oil on canvas, 26 1/4 x 20 3/4 in. (67.0 x 52.7 cm),framed.
Condition: Strip-lined, stable craquelure, some natural fluorescence in the dark brown pigment under UV light.
Estimate $500-700

Framed dimensions are 33 1/4 x 27 3/4 x 2 3/4 inches.
Faint artists materials supplier stamp on the reverse of the canvas.

The craquelure is fairly large in scale and appears across the entire canvas. It is stable and is visible primarily in raking light.

Under UV examination some of the darkest brown pigments fluoresce slightly, but we believe this to be naturally occuring rather than the result of restoration. The brushwork seems consistent with the artist's style rather than a repair.

We noted two very small losses (less than 1/8 inch) to the background along the lower right edge of the canvas, just to the right of the jug.


Items may have wear and tear, imperfections, or the effects of aging. Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Skinner shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.