Studio of Claude-Joseph Vernet

With Linares Galleries, Madrid, by whom sold in 2003 as by Adrien Manglard to
the present owner. 

The following condition report has been provided by Simon Parkes of Simon Parkes Art Conservation, Inc. 502 East 74th St. New York, NY 212-734-3920, simonparkes@msn.com , an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. This painting has been quite recently restored and should be hung in its current condition. The canvas has an old glue lining which supports the paint layer quite well. The paint layer is clean, lightly varnished and has been retouched. The retouches are mostly visible under ultraviolet light addressing some thinness in the large vessel and in the rigging of all the vessels. There are retouches also in the lower sky in the center which have most likely been employed to reduce some cracking; similar kinds of restoration is evident in other areas. This painting has essentially been over-cleaned and this has had the effect of softening the profiles throughout. The restoration could be improved and applied in a more focused manor yet it is reasonably competent and the picture could also be hung as is.
"This lot is offered for sale subject to Sotheby's Conditions of Business, which are available on request and printed in Sotheby's sale catalogues. The independent reports contained in this document are provided for prospective bidders' information only and without warranty by Sotheby's or the Seller."

This painting repeats in composition a lost painting by Claude-Joseph Vernet, Brouillard du Matin, last recorded in the collection of the Comte d'Orsay, known through an engraving by F. Morel (see, F. Ingersoll-Smouse, Joseph Vernet, Peintre de Marine, Étude Critique et Catalogue Raisonné, vol. I, p.46 and 47, cat. no. 129, fig. 27.)