Louis de Caullery

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York, NY 212-734-3920, simonparkes@msn.com, an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. This panel is originally made from two pieces of oak joined horizontally though the center of the work. It has been cradled on the reverse. The panel is flat and the paint layer seems to be stable. Although there is slight unevenness to the surface in the upper right, there does not appear to be any weakness to the paint layer. The painting seems to be visibly yellowed with a dirty varnish. While the painting can certainly be hung in its current state, cleaning would reveal a less warm palette. There is a thin quality to much of the paint layer, but this is not to say that it is weak or abraded. There is a very clear and well preserved feeling throughout the picture. There are restorations in the lower right edge, in the lower left corner and across the bottom edge beneath the figures. There are some retouches in the sky in the upper left and some small retouches in the upper right; these are probably too broad and probably only address small losses. There are also a few retouches in the canal in the distance on the right and in the shadows of the dark building on the far left, but the condition is generally very good.
"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 fantasy view of Venice depicts elegant figures watching the regatta, including the Bucintoro, on Ascension Day.  The Bucintoro was the ceremonial barge of the Doge, ruler of the Venetian Republic, and was part of a ritual on this particular day celebrating the marriage of Venice and the sea.  A similar composition by de Caullery, also on panel and of similar dimensions, was included in a sale at Sotheby's London, 1 November 2001, lot 5.