Ivan Ivanovich Shishkin

Sotheby's London, Russian Pictures, Works of Art and Icons, 5 April 1990, lot 4

Original canvas which is uneven throughout. There are pinholes along the edges. There are frame abrasions with associated paint loss and flecks of minor paint loss in places. There is a layer of light surface dirt. UV light reveals some spots of retouching in the lower right corner and in a few places elsewhere in the sky. Held in a simple wooden frame. Unexamined out of frame.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

In 1891 Shishkin was honoured with the largest retrospective of his works to date at the Imperial Academy of Arts. He spent the following autumn at Peterhof, where he painted a small group of landscapes on the theme of the passing season, including the present lot. Shishkin was described by a contemporary critic as 'a poet of nature...who finds beauty where an ordinary man would pass through unmoved and indifferent' (V.Nemirovich-Danchenko in 1895, quoted in I.Shuvalova, Ivan Ivanovich Shishkin, 1978, p.291).