George Inness

Elizabeth Hart Inness, widow of the artist (sold:  Fifth Avenue Art Galleries, New York, February 11-13, 1904, lot 117, Mrs. George Inness executor's sale, as Delaware Valley)
Thomas E.H. Curtis, acquired at auction, 1904 (sold:  Anderson Galleries, New York, November 14, 1918, no. 60, Curtis Sale)
Henry Schultheis Galleries, New York
Private Collection, acquired circa 1920s
By descent in the family above (sold:  Sotheby's, New York, November 30, 2000, lot 136)
Questroyal Fine Art, New York
Babcock Galleries, New York, 2005

 

LeRoy Ireland, Works of George Inness:  An Illustrated Catalogue Raisonné, Austin, Texas, 1965, no. 388, pp. 97-98, illustrated p. 97 (as Delaware Vallery, circa 1867)
Michael Quick, George Inness:  A Catalogue Raisonné, New Brunswick, New Jersey, 2007, vol. I, no. 405, p.386, illustrated

Canvas is not lined. SURFACE: in good condition UNDER ULTRA VIOLET: scattered specks of inpainting, mostly at corners and lower left; varnish drip along left side
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.

When the present work was offered at the estate sale of the artist's widow, it was mistakenly given the title "Delaware Valley".  As Michael Quick confirms in his catalogue raisonné of the artist's oeuvre , "Despite the mistaken title assigned by the estate, this work depicts a view of the valley of the Tiber from the hills east of Perugia."