Germain Fabius Brest

Galleria Pesaro, Milan
Purchased by the father of the present owner in Montecchio in 1972

Original canvas. Ultra-violet light reveals some very minor retouching in a few thin lines in the upper right corner and some tiny spots in the figures by the basin in the lower right corner. There is a faint horizontal stretcher mark in the centre. Apart from some areas of discoloured varnish and light surface dirt, overall the painting is in good condition, and its appearance would be transformed with a light surface clean. Held in a decorative gold painted wood and plaster 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."

Encouraged by his teacher in Marseille, Emile Loubon, Fabius Brest spent four years, from 1855 until 1859, living in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey), recording in a series of paintings views of Constantinople, the surrounding countryside, and the Black Sea coast. The time he spent there continued to inspire his work for the rest of his career, and provided the subjects for many of his Salon submissions throughout the 1860s and 1870s.

Today, Fabius Brest is best known for his paintings of the streets and squares of Constantinople. For the present work, Fabius Brest has chosen to depict on an unusually large scale a remarkably informal scene set in a quiet street on a sunny afternoon - perhaps the more authentically to capture the daily life of the townspeople. Two figures wash at the fountain, as a trader passes by, while in the background a small group converse outide a street-side kief or café.