Description
Property from a Private Collection, United States
IVAN KONSTANTINOVICH AIVAZOVSKY
1817-1900
PASSING SHIP ON A MOONLIT NIGHT
signed in Cyrillic and dated 1868 l.l.
oil on canvas
Canvas: 57.5 by 75.5cm, 22¾ by 29¾in.
Framed: 66 by 84 cm, 26 by 33in.
Authenticity has been confirmed by Gianni Caffiero and Ivan Samarine on the basis of photographs.
Please note: Condition 11 of the Conditions of Business for Buyers (Online Only) is not applicable to this lot.
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Condition Report
The following condition report is provided by Hamish Dewar who is an external specialist and not an employee of Sotheby’s:
Structural Condition
The canvas is lined and is securely attached to what would appear to be the artist’s original keyed wooden stretcher with one central vertical cross member. This is providing a stable structural support.
Paint Surface
The paint surface has an even varnish layer.
The paint surface displays an overall pattern of slightly raised fine lines of craquelure, including corresponding to the 5 stretcher members. These are entirely stable and are not visually distracting.
Inspection under ultraviolet light shows a vertical line of inpainting with associated minor retouchings within the dark blue painted cliffs in the centre left of the composition. The vertical line of inpainting corresponds to a historic repaired tear which is entirely stable.
Inspection under ultraviolet light also shows a few further very minor spots and lines of inpainting, including a retouching on the left part of the lower edge.
Summary
The painting would therefore appear to be in good and stable condition.
The lot is sold in the condition it is in at the time of sale. The condition report is provided to assist you with assessing the condition of the lot and is for guidance only. Any reference to condition in the condition report for the lot does not amount to a full description of condition. The images of the lot form part of the condition report for the lot provided by Sotheby’s. Certain images of the lot provided online may not accurately reflect the actual condition of the lot. In particular, the online images may represent colours and shades which are different to the lot’s actual colour and shades. The condition report for the lot may make reference to particular imperfections of the lot but you should note that the lot may have other faults not expressly referred to in the condition report for the lot or shown in the online images of the lot. The condition report may not refer to all faults, restoration, alteration or adaptation because Sotheby’s is not a professional conservator or restorer but rather the condition report is a statement of opinion genuinely held by Sotheby’s. For that reason, Sotheby’s condition report is not an alternative to taking your own professional advice regarding the condition of the lot.
Provenance
A gift to the grandfather of the present owner in Russia before the Revolution
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