- 196
John Frederick Lewis, R.A.
Estimate
5,000 - 8,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- John Frederick Lewis, R.A.
- An Italian Girl at Rome
- signed l.r.: J. F. Lewis / Rome. 1838.
- watercolour over pencil heightened with bodycolour, scratching out and gum arabic
- 35.4 by 24.6 cm.; 14 by 9 7/8 in.
Provenance
The Fine Art Society, London, May 1952:
Sir John and Lady Witt;
C. W. Witt:
by descent to the present owner
Condition
The colours remain remarkably fresh and vivid. The paper has discoloured somewhat. This is particularly noticeable at the extreme edges of the sheet, where part of the paper has been protected from the light by a previous mount. There is a soft crease, measuring circa 7mm, in the bottom right hand corner. There are several very minor restorations, these however, are only in the background. Some areas of the gum arabic have cracked, however this can only be seen on very close inspection. Overall, for its age, the work has been well preserved.
"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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
Lewis made the present watercolour during his stay in Italy which lasted between 1838 and 1840. Having spent the winter of 1837 in Paris, he moved onto Italy in early 1838. Over the next two years he travelled widely visiting, amongst other places Florence, the Amalfi coast, Sorrento, Capri, Naples and Rome.
In conception this drawing can be compared with the many figure studies that the artist executed during the early part of the 1830s, while he was living in Spain. See, for example, a watercolour entitled Study of a Spanish Girl (Major-General Lewis, John Frederick Lewis R.A, 1978, cat. no. 191, fig. 26).