Attributed to Ivan Konstantinovich Aivazovsky

Sotheby's, London, April 7, 1989, lot 119;
Acquired from the above sale by the present owner.

This painting has been recently restored. The canvas has been lined using Beva-371 as an adhesive and is cleaned and retouched. It is only the cracking to the paint layer that has been retouched. These retouches are clearly visible under ultraviolet light but are not extensive. The paint layer, although thinly applied, does not seem to be abraded. The painting should be hung in its current condition.
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.

Born in Theodosia, a busy port on the Black Sea, Ivan Aivazovsky's passion for the ocean began at a young age, as did his unparalleled artistic ability. During his lifetime he achieved international fame, exhibiting widely in Paris and Russia. Though best known for depicting the violent aggression of the sea through storms and shipwrecks, Aivazovsky was also a master of painting the water at peace. The present scene depicts a lone ship navigating deceptively calm waters. The sky, like the sea, is light and open, and a sense of smoothness and luminosity was achieved by quickly and seamlessly layering pigment until a fluid graduation of color appeared.