Ivan Konstantinovich Aivazovsky

Estate of Ambassador Joseph E. Davies
Adam A. Weschler & Son, Inc. Auctioneers and Appraisers, circa 1980s
Acquired directly from the above by the present owner

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 never been removed from its original stretcher. The paint layer is most likely clean. There may be some retouches which are faintly visible under ultraviolet light in the sky, particularly in the lower right. These retouches address some abrasion which is visible around the moon and in a few other spots in the sky. Similar broad retouches appear to have been applied in the lower left and there are a couple of recent losses in the lower center. If these broad retouches were to be removed, the picture would greatly benefit from a more accurate endeavor to retouch the picture properly.
"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."