- 152
ALOYS ZÖTL | A Caspian Turtle
Estimate
7,000 - 9,000 GBP
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Description
- Aloys Zötl
- A Caspian Turtle
- Watercolour over black chalk;signed and dated in pen and grey ink, lower right: Alois Zötl fecit am 5 Februar 1881 and inscribed lower left and centre: Amphibien Taf. 17 / Die caspische Schildkröte Testudo caspica
- 436 by 549 mm
Provenance
Possibly anonymous sale (‘Zötl (Aloys) (1803-1887) (Aquarelles provenant de l’atelier)’), Paris, Hôtel Drouot, 2 July 1957, part of lot 201 (as Tortue clemmys, dated 5 February 1881, measuring 32 x 44 cm.)
Condition
Laid down. The sheet has discoloured. Two tears at the upper margin and a tear near the lower right corner. Colours remain strong and vibrant.
"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 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."
Catalogue Note
Exotic and vibrant, this aesthetically pleasing watercolour illustrates a Caspian turtle, or striped-neck terrapin (Mauremys caspica), a turtle found throughout the Eastern Mediterranean, the Middle East, Iran and Saudi Arabia. Very little is known about Aloys Zötl’s life. He was born in Freistadt in Upper Austria and followed in his father’s professional footsteps, becoming a master dyer. When Zötl married he moved to the village of Eferding, approximately forty kilometres from Freistadt and he is thought never to have travelled far from home, far less abroad. As the majority of his watercolours feature exotic animals and sea creatures (see also the following lot) it is assumed he was inspired by the large collection of published works of zoology, natural history, ethnography and travel that he owned in his extensive library.