William Callow R.W.S.

including views of: Staubbach; Grimsel; Glacier du Rhone;  Au depart du Pont du Viable d'Andermatt ; Lac de Lucerne; Chute du Rhin, Schaffhausen

Staubbach: The colours remain fresh. The paper tone has changed slightly. This gives more prominence to the white bodycolour. There is evidence of minor staining within the sky. There is a very minor rubbed line located in the top left hand corner of the composition, this can only be seen on very close inspection. Grimset: The colours remain fresh. The paper tone has changed slightly. This gives more prominence to the white bodycolour. There is a small tear in the bottom left hand corner of the work. Glacier du Rhone: The colours remain fresh. The paper tone has changed slightly. This gives more prominence to the white bodycolour. There is a very minor rubbed line located in the top left hand corner of the composition, this can only be seen on very close inspection. Au depart du Pont du Viable d'Andermatt ; The colours are fresh. There are occasional very minor foxmarks, however in general the condition remains good. Lac de Lucerne: The colours, although soft, remain intact. The paper has browned very slightly, however the balance of the composition has not been altered. There are one or two very subtle areas of minor surface dirt located in the sky, however these are hardly visible. Over all the condition is good. Chute du Rhin, Schaffhausen: The colours are fresh. The paper has discoloured somewhat. This gives more prominence to the white bodycolour. There are one or two subtle foxmarks in the sky, however these are very minor. Overall the condition is good.
"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."

These six plein air watercolours were executed in the late summer of 1838, during William Callow's first walking tour of Switzerland. Aged 26, the artist first travelled through France, arriving at Lausanne towards the end of August. Over the following weeks, with the use of guides, Callow walked and sketched in the Swiss mountains, visiting remote areas such as: Mont Blanc, Les Chapieux, St. Rémy, Louéche, Thon, Staubbach, Grimsel, the Glacier du Rhone, Fluelen and finally Schaffhausen. Following this Callow travelled on into Germany where he continued his tour. Callow was clearly much impressed by the Swiss landscape as he later recorded in this autobiography that he 'quitted with great regret the mountain scenery' (see H. M. Cundall, William Callow R.W.S., 1908, p. 70)