Evgeny Lanceray (1848-1886), In the Cart (Peasants from the Province of Riazan Returning from the Fields)

on a simple cart ride two peasant women and a girl; one of the women jokingly brandishes a whip at the peasant youth riding the horse to which the cart is hitched; he has turned to reply to the gesture while the riders in the cart laugh at his predicament

overall good condition; with fine patina
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.

Lanceray considered this piece to be among the best of his early works.  In 1870, this composition was one of six which the artist presented to the Imperial Academy of Arts in support of his application for advancement to the status of artist of the first class (khudozhnik pervoi stepeni).  See N.R. Levinson and L.N. Goncharova, Russkaia khudozhestvennaia bronza, Moscow, 1958, pp. 78-83 and no. 79 and G.W. Sudbury, Evgueni Alexandrovitch Lanceray, 1848-1886, Lausanne, 2006, p. 101