Thomas Fearnley

With Artemis Fine Arts, London;
By whom sold ("The Property of Artemis Fine Arts"), New York, Sotheby's, The Dealer's Eye, 26 January 26 2006, lot 164.

There is excellent retention of the paint surface with lovely brushwork and fresh coloration. There is a horizontal slit in the paper at lower right corner (about 2 1/4 inches long) and a smaller diagonal tear in the same area. There is a small loss to the paper at lower right edge which is visible in the catalogue image. Under UV: there is a small repaired tear in sky at upper left and some tiny ones at upper left edge. Also there are some very small retouches in sky at center left and at upper right corner. The water and landscape look very good. Offered in a gilt wood frame with some nicks and losses to the gilding.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

A Norwegian-born painter of British descent, Fearnely was trained at art institutions in Oslo, Copenhagen and Stockholm.   He traveled extensively outside Scandinavia and, beginning in 1832, sojourned in Italy for several years where, during the summers of 1833 and 1834, he painted coastal scenes along the Sorrento peninsula.  This work depicts the dramatic cliffs overlooking the Bay of Naples and exemplifies Fearnley’s pictures of this subject, characterized by their bold use of color and luminosity.  It is similar to another work, Coast Scene, possibly Capri (oil on paper laid on board, 22.2 by  34.9 cm.), in the Gere Collection which is currently on loan to the National Gallery, London.