Edward Seago, R.W.S. 1910-1974

STRUCTURE The board is sound and there are no signs of warping. CATALOGUE COMPARISON The illustration is broadly representative. PAINT SURFACE The colours are rich and there is no visible craquelure. The paint surface is clean and stable and the picture is ready to hang. UNDER ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT There are no signs of retouching. FRAME This picture is contained in a simple modern gilt frame.
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'It is not surprising that Istanbul cast its spell upon Seago. This extraordinary city, lying astride that great route of approach which links Asia with Europe, glitters like a rare gem rich in breathtaking vistas, exotic moods and an opulent past redolent of Greek, Christian, Roman, Seljuk and Ottoman Turk.' (James W. Reid, Edward Seago, The Landscape Art, 1991, p. 239)

The labyrinthine back-streets and squares of Istanbul's historic heart offered a wealth of subjects for Seago, with the overhanging upper storeys of the buildings and their awnings creating interesting shapes and shadows for his brush. As Reid has pointed out 'In such topics, Seago demonstrates how effectively he could deal both with such inherently interesting and unusual themes - the rapidly vanishing picturesque old wooden houses or a surprising overhead street arch.' (ibid Reid, p. 246) Another picture entitled Wooden Houses, Istanbul depicts similar buildings, perhaps the same street.