Ivan Konstantinovich Aivazovsky

Acquired by a cousin of the present owner's father, a merchant and art collector, in Russia before 1905

Structural Condition The canvas is unlined and is securely attached to the artist's original keyed wooden stretcher. This is ensuring a stable structural support. There is a wax seal on the reverse of the canvas. This has caused a slight deformation to the canvas which is visible in the upper left quadrant of the sky. Paint Surface The paint surface has an even varnish layer. The paint surface has an overall pattern of slightly raised lines of craquelure. These are stable. Inspection under ultra-violet light shows a small spot of retouching on the lower right part of the tree, a few tiny spots of retouching within the sky in the upper left corner of the composition, and a few tiny spots on and close to the extreme edges of the composition. Summary The painting would therefore appear to be in very 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."

The present work is included in the numbered archive of the artist's work compiled by Gianni Caffiero and Ivan Samarine.