Frans Vervloet

The following condition report has been provided by Simon Parkes of Simon Parkes Art Conservation, Inc. 502 East 74th St. New York, NY 212-734-3920, simonparkes@msn.com, an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. This painting is on paper mounted on linen; this method of support may have occurred while in the artist's care. The painting has been restored and should be hung in its current state. The paint layer is clean and varnished. There is no visible abrasion or damage to the work, which is in beautiful condition. Under ultraviolet light, it can be seen that there are some soft areas of retouching in the upper right sky and a few spots in the upper center and lower left. It seems that the beach in the foreground and the architecture throughout is not restored, but there are some areas in the foreground which may have been slightly adjusted. This is hard to confirm under ultraviolet light, but the overall condition of the work seems to be extremely good.
"This lot is offered for sale subject to Sotheby's Conditions of Business, which are available on request and printed in Sotheby's sale catalogues. The independent reports contained in this document are provided for prospective bidders' information only and without warranty by Sotheby's or the Seller."

Born in Mechelen where he studied at the Akademie voor Schone Kunsten, Vervloet concentrated on architectural painting and church interiors early in his career.  In 1822, he was awarded a scholarship to study in Italy where he developed a greater interest in landscape painting and where he eventually spent much of his career.  After two years in Rome, Vervloet travelled to Naples in 1824. There he was greatly influenced by the group of painters of the Posillippo School whose members, in their reaction against the more academic approach of late 18^th century landscape painting, favored a more spontaneous approach, with an emphasis on plein-air painting.  He eventually settled permanently in Venice in 1854.

Vervloet also made a number of excursions to Turkey where he produced both views and recorded scenes of everyday life.  This luminous painting depicts fishermen and animals along the shore on the outskirts of Istanbul while, in the distance at right, Topkapi Palace and the dome and minarets of Hagia Sophia can be seen.