亞歷山大‧卡拉姆

The painting is in lovely condition and presents a fresh and bright image with good coloration, beneath a clear varnish, The canvas has a fresh glue relining which is firm and stable and the paint surface has good impasto and has not been pressed in the process. Inspection under UV reveals finely applied retouching to a small scratch in the sky at right and only minor scattered retouching elsewhere, mostly isolated to the the edges and the upper right corner of the sky. The tree has been largely untouched. The painting is ready to hang and is offered in a simply carved gilt wood 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.
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 devout Calvinist, Calame viewed his soaring landscapes as evidence of the divine powers of creation. Calame was a very well traveled artist, having worked throughout his career in various Italian cities, Paris, The Netherlands, Düsseldorf, and London. He spent most summers in Switzerland where he created studies for his mountainous and wooded landscapes, of which the present work is a typical example. Rendered with beautiful detail, its small size belies its powerful presence.

Another version of this composition from circa 1850-1855, of near identical dimensions, is recorded as having been part of a Vente Calame at Hotel Drouout in 1865 (no. 282).¹

1. See V. Anker, Alexander Calame: Vie et oeuvre, Catalogue raisonné de l'oeuvre peint, Fribourg 1987, cat. no. 480.