Alexander Nasmyth

Private Collection, Wales

STRUCTURE The canvas has beenfirmly lined. PAINT SURFACE The painting appears to be in very good condition with no apparent damage or loss of paint except for some minor losses in the peripheral areas probably caused by abrasion from an ill-fitting frame. Otherwise there is evidence of a discoloured varnish overall and some minor craquelure concentrated in the central skyline, which is in keepig with the painting's age. ULTRAVIOLET Examination under ultraviolet light confirms the opaciy of the varnish and reveals very minor retouching to the aforementioned craquelure. There is also evidence of minor retouching to old craquelure along the central belt of the painting, concentrated in the centre left, and there is minor scattered retouching throughout the sky and the undegrowth in the foreground. This scattered retouching is cosmetic and would appear to be concentrated in the upper right and to the tree trunk upper left. There is also minor retouching to what appears to be an abrasion above the central tree measuring approx. 5 in. FRAME Held in a plaster and gilt wood frame. To speak to a specialist about this lot please contact Julian Gascoigne on +44 (0)207 293 5482, or at julian.gascoigne@sothebys.com, or Ludo Shaw Stewart on +44 (0)207 293 5816, or at ludovic.shawstewart@sothebys.com.
"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."

Born in Edinburgh the so-called 'father of Scottish landscape painting' continued his family's tradition of embellishing the city both artistically and architecturally. The city was a continous source of inspiration in the 1820's and Nasmyth exhibited at least eleven views of Edinburgh between 1812 and 1832 of which this may be one.