Johann Richter Stockholm 1665-1745 Venice

The painting is slightly sharper and warmer in tone than the catalogue illustration suggests. The canvas has a relatively old relining which has flattened the paint surface somewhat. The painting is quite dirty and the yellowed varnish thick and uneven. The paint surface appears a little thin throughout but this is particularly evident in the darker areas such as the boats in the immediate foreground, where the reddish preparation ground is coming through. Inspection under ultra-violet light is impeded by the varnish layer - only a small repaired hole (1 by 0.5cm.) in the sky upper right and a smaller one under the gondola lower right are visible. Strengthenings on the pier and on some of the architecture, such as on the windows of the red building near the Redentore, should be presumed. There would also appear to be a certain degree of old retouching to the grey cloud upper left although this will not be made clear until cleaning. There do not appear to be any significant damages and apart from the paint surface being somewhat pressed and some wear on the boats in the foreground, the painting is in reasonably good condition. The modern gilt wood frame has some superficial knocks but is structurally sound.
"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 Redentore was founded to call upon Christ the Redeemer to deliver the city from a particularly virulent outbreak of the plague in 1575-76. Situated on the Giudecca, the church was designed by Andrea Palladio and constructed between 1577 and 1592. The great façade was intended to act as a focal point for an annual pilgrimage on the Feast of the Redeemer (the third Sunday in July) by the Doge and worthies of Venice, who crossed the Canale di Giudecca on a specially constructed bridge measuring 330 metres in length and made out of boats (called the 'votive bridge').