Alphons Leopold Mielich

Private Collection, Austria

The canvas has not been lined. This painting is clean and ready to hang. There are some fine, faint lines of craquelure visible primarily in the warm tones of the earth pigments, and some scattered lines in the sky. Ultra-violet light reveals a number of scattered areas of retouching, notably a circa 15 by 6cm area and a 6 by 9cm area towards the upper-left of the sky, some small areas in the upper-right of the sky (including in the foliage) and small strokes just above the treeline, strokes in the lower parts of the distant architecture, scattered old strokes along the lower edge of the composition, and some strokes in the blue shawl of the man standing to the centre-right with the pale cap. There is a patch circa 15 by 15cm on the reverse corresponding to the pots in the lower-right quadrant, however ultra-violet light does not appear to show clear signs of retouching in this area. Presented in a decorative gilt frame.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The Pottery Seller by Alphons Mielich is a masterful evocation of everyday Egyptian life. As startling as the all the bustling activity of market day is the bright desert light, which so fascinated Western painters on their visits to the region, and which lent their palettes a whole new chromatic dimension. The heat of the midday sun is almost palpable, as one trader, engaged in conversation with another, shields his face using the basket containing his wares. Austrian-born Mielich first travelled to Egypt in 1889, and returned on several occasions up until the outbreak of the First World War, and the 'snapshot' verisimilitude of the scene in the present work is testimony to his sensitive understanding of the culture he depicts.