Ivan Konstantinovich Aivazovsky

A gift from the artist to Dr. Fedor Ivanovich Poliakov in Shakh-Mamai in 1889
A gift from the above to his nephew, Ivan Alexandrovich Poliakov (b.1882)
Thence by descent to the present owner

Structural Condition The canvas is unlined and is securely attached to what would certainly appear to be the original keyed wooden stretcher. The canvas is signed and dated on the reverse. There are two slightly raised vertical lines corresponding to the central vertical stretcher-bar. Paint surface The paint surface has an even varnish layer. There is a very fine pattern of drying craquelure most notable within the pale pigments of the sky, but this is entirely stable and not visually distracting. Inspection under ultra-violet light shows some small, scattered retouchings, the most significant of which are two areas on the left and right of the sky, an area towards the left of the upper horizontal framing edge, some small retouchings to the lower part of the left vertical framing edge, and a small retouching within the central boat. Summary The painting would therefore appear to be in good and stable condition and no further work is required.
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