Thomas Patch

Anonymous sale, London, Christie's, May 27, 1921, lot 136 (as attributed to William Marlow).

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 has been lined with glue. Although the lining is quite stiff, the painting is well supported. There are isolated restorations visible under ultraviolet light in the sky, most notably to a tear in the upper right corner and another tear above the tower in the lower left sky. In the water and in the remainder of the picture generally, only a thin tear in the building on the right side has been restored and a few spots addressing minor losses elsewhere. Overall the condition is a little worn, the conservation is not that accurate and a recent scrape in the center of the sky is now clearly visible. If the picture were to be cleaned and retouched more accurately, the results would be a noticeable improvement and this would not be an expensive or time consuming endeavor.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

This idyllic view shows the city of Florence and the Ponte Alle Grazie from the banks of the River Arno.  Constructed in 1237 and originally conceived with nine arches, the Ponte Alle Grazie, which connects the Via dei Benci and Piazza de' Mozzi, was one of the first bridges to be built in the city of Florence. 

The Ponte Alle Grazie was the only bridge to survive the great floods of 1333; however, it did not fare as well under military attack, as it was destroyed by the Germans in 1944.  This picture is therefore an important historic document of the early appearance of this medieval structure.

Three other variants of this composition by Thomas Patch are recorded: one was sold London, Sotheby's, March 9, 1988, lot 64, for £16,500; another is in the collection of the Marquess of Cholmondeley at Houghton Hall, which was one of a pair delivered to Horace Walpole from Sir Horace Mann in December 1771;¹ and the third was sold London, Sotheby's, July 5, 1967, lot 7.    

 

1 F. J. B. Watson, " The Life of Thomas Patch," in Walpole Society
XXVIII p. 39, no. 26.