Jean-François Raffaëlli

Private Collection, France

This painting appears to be clean and in good condition. Seven patches are visible on the reverse, including one vertical patch to address a tear in the lower right, with associated inpainting visible under UV.
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.
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The Normandy coast provided inspiration for many nineteenth century French painters: Courbet recorded the ever-changing sea in his series of waves from the 1860s; Boudin was struck by the elegant vacationers, who populated the beaches in their fancy crinolines and top hats; while Monet responded to the majesty of the cliffs at Étretat at varying times of day.  When Raffaëlli travelled to Honfleur in 1882, he found his muse in the local inhabitants in much the same way that the population of Asnières had provided him the "types" who became the ragpickers and workmen in his paintings.  In Honfleur, it was the saveteur who inspired him, or the salty man of the sea who made his living by rescuing sailors in distress. Our saveteur dons his life vest and stands in a boat as if poised to head out to answer the call of a foundering boat.  The overall palette consists of brown tonalities but is vividly accented by the red of his scarf and the pale blue of his eyes.