Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot

Pétrel collection
Sale: Hôtel Drouot, Paris, 29 May 1920 
Galerie Georges Petit, Paris, 1920
Sale: Sotheby's, New York, 27 October 1988, lot 33
Hammer Galleries, New York

New York, Hammer Galleries, 19th and 20th Century European Paintings-Recent Acquisitions, 1990
New York, Hammer Galleries, The Gallery Collection: 19th and 20th Century Paintings, 1994

Alfred Robaut, L'Oeuvre de Corot, catalogue raisonné et illustré, Paris, 1965, vol. II, p. 284, no. 896, illustrated, p. 285
Robert Katz and Celestine Dars, The Impressionists in Context, New York, 1991, p. 46, illustrated

The following condition report has been prepared by Hamish Dewar Ltd., 13 and 14 Mason's Yard, St James', London, SW1Y 6BU: UNCONDITIONAL AND WITHOUT PREJUDICE Structural Condition The canvas is lined and is securely attached to a keyed wooden stretcher. This is ensuring a stable structural support. The painting would appear to have been extended on the two vertical edges. There are vertical bands which are approximately 4 cm wide and have a smoother appearance than the rest of the composition where the canvas texture is visible. Brown paper gum tape is covering the tacking and turnover edges. Paint Surface The paint surface has an even varnish layer. The paint surface has an overall pattern of very fine lines of craquelure. This appears entirely stable. Inspection under ultraviolet light shows vestiges of discoloured opaque varnish within the foliage of the trees and covering the dark pigments in the foreground. Inspection under ultraviolet light also shows small scattered spots and lines of retouching throughout the sky including corresponding to cracks and covering areas of thinness. There are also a few small retouchings within the trees towards the centre of the left edge and around the opening exposing the sky in the lower left of the composition. Other small spots and lines of retouching are also visible including in the extreme lower left and right corners. Due to the opaque varnish layers covering parts of the composition it is difficult to ascertain the extent of any previous restoration work. Summary The painting would therefore appear to be in good and stable condition.
"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."

The authenticity of this lot has been confirmed by Martin Dieterle and Claire Lebeau.