Hermann Corrodi

Acquired by the present owner in 2001

The canvas has not been lined. The varnish has yellowed slightly with age and it is likely that the work's appearance could be further enhanced with a surface clean if desired. Ultraviolet light reveals some retouching which is minor for a painting of this size, notably a circa 5 by 6cm area of restoration in the right edge of the branches and the sky in the upper right quadrant, a circa 2 by 2cm area in the sky above the fountain's dome (both patched on the reverse), and some further minor scattered spots in the sky. There are virtually no signs of retouching in the composition below the horizon (including the architecture): under ultraviolet light some of the pigments in the ground fluoresce a pale green, however these would certainly appear to be the artist's original pigments and not retouching. This painting is in good condition and, apart from a handful of tiny spots of paint flaking in the extreme upper left corner and in the water above and to the left of the signature (visible in the catalogue illustration), it is ready to hang. Held in an elaborate gilt frame with laurel leaf ornaments. The colours are somewhat richer and deeper in reality than in the catalogue illustration, and there is slightly less yellow overall.
"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."

The present work depicts the mouth of the Göksu stream, formerly known as Guiuk-Suey, on the Asian shores of the Bosphorus some seven miles north of the Golden Horn. In the distance, silhouetted against the horizon, are the domes and minarets of Constantinople, while to the left is the freshwater stream of Göksu itself and, behind the viewer, lies the Anadolu Hisari (Castle of Asia).

The verdant meadow between the Göksu and the Küçüksu streams provided a popular and fashionable resort for the people of Constantinople to relax and socialise, shaded by the trees and refreshed by the fresh water from the fountains. The presence of the Küçüksu Palace nearby, a summer residence of the Ottoman sultans, also explains the glamour of the area. 

The Sweet Waters of Asia, as the pleasure ground came to be known, gave Western visitors an excellent opportunity to observe Ottoman life, and depictions of the area frequently appear in nineteenth century literature, art, and photography (see fig. 1). With wealthy ladies in their yashmak veils in the centre right, stall traders displaying their wares, and ferrymen and their passengers on the Göksu, Corrodi presents a particularly harmonious and peaceful vision of Ottoman life away from the turmoil of the capital.