Henryk Siemiradzki

Wojciech and Ewa Fibak, NY
Michael Legutko, Lippert Gallery, NY
Barbara Piasecka Johnson, New Jersey
Sale: Art for Autism at Jasna Polana, 22 February 2000, lot 16
Purchased at the above sale by the present owner

This condition report has been provided by Hamish Dewar Ltd. Fine Art Conservation, 14 Masons Yard, Duke Street, St James's, London SW1Y 6BU. UNCONDITIONAL AND WITHOUT PREJUDICE Structural Condition The canvas has been lined and this is providing an even and secure structural support. The canvas is attached to a wooden keyed stretcher, which appears to be the artist's original. A line of cracking is visible running parallel to the upper framing edge, this seems stable and is not particularly visually distracting. The canvas is pulling slightly in the upper right and lower left corners. Paint surface The paint surface has an even varnish layer. Inspection under ultra-violet light shows scattered retouchings, the most siginficant of which are: 1) a thin diagonal line approximately 16 cm in length, running up from the water in the lower right quadrant of the composition, 2) a diagonal line approximately 8 cm in length, within the green fabric in the lower left quadrant of the composition, 3) two small areas within the armrest of the stone seat, and 4) scattered, carefully applied retouchings throughout the sky Other smaller retouchings are also visible. Summary The painting would therefore appear to be in good and stable condition
"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."

By the Fountain exemplifies Siemiradzki's light-filled compositions of classical Roman life. The dynamic gestures, luminous palette and subtle juxtaposition of light and shadow are hallmarks of his very best works.  Set under an azure Mediterranean sky, this halcyon narrative makes nostalgic reference to a vision of Antique domestic bliss.

Siemiradzki settled in Rome in 1872. According to his daughter's memoirs, it was as though life stood still when Siemiradzki first set eyes on the eternal city. During his time in Italy he earned world fame - his studio, recommended to tourists by Baedecker guidebooks, was frequented by members of the Russian and Italian royal courts (Tsarina Alexandra Feodorovna and Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich, President of the St. Petersburg Academy were among the patrons of the artist), as well as by famous Poles, including Henryk Sienkiewicz and Ignacy Paderewski. 

Siemiradzki's grand historical paintings and decorative compositions depicting scenes from antiquity achieved great success during the second half of the century, as evinced by eager patronage as well as manifold exhibitions of his work throughout Europe. A student of Karl Briullov at St. Petersburg Academy and of Karl von Piloty in Munich, Siemiradzki was deeply influenced by the work of these two foremost history painters of the time, before developing his very own luminous style in Italy.