Hermann Corrodi

This condition report has been provided by Hamish Dewar, Hamish Dewar Ltd. Fine Art Conservation, 14 Masons Yard, Duke Street, St James's, London SW1Y 6BU. UNCONDITIONAL AND WITHOUT PREJUDICE Structural Condition The canvas is unlined on what would certainly appear to be the original keyed wooden stretcher. The canvas is rather uneven in the corners and would benefit from restretching. There are faint stretcher-bar lines which are stable and secure and could be reduced with localised consolidation. Paint surface The varnish layers have discoloured and the overall appearance should be considerably improved should the painting be cleaned and revarnished. Inspection under ultra-violet light shows a thin diagonal line of retouching in the upper right corner which is approximately 5 cm in length. Scattered spots of retouching are visible along the lower framing edge and within the foliage of the central tree. There are other quite large areas that fluoresce unevenly, but very faintly, under ultra-violet light. These in the foreground and most notably on the ground beneath the horses and standing men in the lower left of the composition and in the centre of the foreground to the right of the tree. These do not fluoresce in a manner consistent with retouching and I suspect they are the artist's changes to the composition. Summary The painting would therefore appear to be in good condition and would benefit from cleaning, restoration and revarnishing.
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From its viewpoint on the Asian side of the Bosphorus looking west towards Seraglio Point, this impressive panorama takes in a wealth of detail, from the  riders and villagers gathered in groups in the foreground, to the town of Kadiköy bathed in evening sunlight on the near shore, to the skyline of Sultanahmet in the distance.  The calm waters of the Bosphorus form a glowing sheen, mirroring the pinky blue evening sky.   

Educated at the Accademia di San Luca in Rome, Corrodi earnt his international reputation with his views of Constantinople and Egypt, which were eagerly bought by Turks and Europeans alike. His patrons included the German Kaiser and the English Royal Family, and he exhibited across Europe, including at the Royal Academy in London.