French School

The canvas has been lined. There is a layer of light surface dirt and lines of craquelure throughout. There are two seams running vertically through the canvas to the left of centre and on the right hand side, which show evidence of bitumen spread. The varnish has discoloured in places. UV light reveals some retouching surrounding both seams and small areas of retouching elsewhere. A layer of opaque discoloured varnish prevents a more conclusive examination. Held in a gold-painted plaster frame. Unexamined out of frame.
"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."

The building depicted in the upper right may be the Trianon-sur-Bois near the Palace of Versailles where Peter the Great stayed in 1717. Peter was profoundly impressed by the grandeur of Versailles and returned to St Petersburg with ideas for enhancing his own summer palace and grounds at Peterhof, which were already under construction. Partly due to Russia's increased naval power, Peter aroused a greater reaction from the rest of Europe than had any of his predecessors and for the first time was able to project Russia as a desirable ally. When he visited Paris in 1717 he argued:

"France has lost its allies in Germany; Sweden, almost destroyed, cannot be of any help to it; the power of the Emperor has grown infinitely; and I, the Tsar, come to offer myself to France to replace Sweden... put me in the place of Sweden" (Anderson, Peter the Great, 1978)

Following his Grand Embassy, Peter pursued a programme of modernisation and expansion which allowed St Petersburg to eventually join Paris, London and Vienna as one of the great diplomatic centres of Europe.