Constantinos Volanakis

Acquired by the grandfather of the present owner in Germany circa 1900; thence by descent

This condition report has been provided by Hamish Dewar, Hamish Dewar Ltd. Fine Art Conservation, 14 Masons Yard, Duke Street, St James's, London SW1Y 6BU. UNCONDITIONAL AND WITHOUT PREJUDICE Structural Condition The canvas is unlined on what would certainly appear to be the original keyed wooden stretcher. This is ensuring a sound and secure structural support. There is pattern of craquelure particularly visible within the impastoed areas of the sky, which is secure and entirely stable. There are stretcher-bar lines corresponding to the horizontal and vertical central bars, which appear stable and are not particularly visually distracting. Several areas of careful repair are visible on the reverse of the canvas. Paint surface The paint surface has a relatively even varnish layer. Inspection under ultra-violet light shows retouchings, the most significant of which are: 1) a vertical line which is approximately 20 cm in length with several short horizontal lines running through it situated above the canvas canopy of the port ferry, 2) an area which measures approximately 2 x 2 cm in the upper left corner of the composition, 3) two bands of retouching corresponding to the upper and lower horizontal framing edges, 4) a horizontal line which measures approximately 7 cm in length situated to the right of the lighter on the starboard side, and 5) a vertical line which measures approximately 4 cm in length situated to the right of the anchor chain. There are also small minor spots of retouching visible in the painting. The painting has been signed twice in the the lower left corner of the composition. Both signatures seem to be by the artist's hand and previous pigment analysis appears to confirm this. Summary The painting therefore appears to be in good and stable condition.
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In this majestic composition from Volanakis's Munich period, a steel-hulled steamship makes ready to sail. The hoisted blue signal flag or 'blue peter' on the bow mast denotes that the ship is about to leave port. The engines idle, with smoke billowing from the ship's funnel, the last provisions are loaded from a lighter on the starboard side, and elegantly dressed passengers embark from the port ferry which has tied up at the stern. The keenly observed ship contrasts with the serenely calm waters and sky of a summer's day, revealing Volanakis's abilities both as an accomplished technical draftsman and as a marine painter.