Petr Petrovich Vereshchagin

Winter Palace Gallery, London
Acquired from the above by the present owner in 1983

Structural Condition The painting has been lined and is securely attached to a wooden keyed stretcher. This is providing an even and stable structural support. Paint surface The paint surface has an even varnish layer. There appear to be some drying cracks in the lower part of the composition, most notably to the left and lower right of the stream, but these appear stable and are not particularly visually distracting. Inspection under ultra-violet light shows some scattered retouchings, the most significant of which are: 1) some retouchings within the sky, and along parts of the upper horizontal framing edge, 2) retouchings along the lower two thirds of the left vertical framing edge and some to the right of this, 3) small spots and lines around the stream in the lower centre of the composition, 4) some retouchings to the lower right corner, and 5) some more recently applied retouchings to the left and right of the stream. Due to the heavily discoloured varnish layers in the foreground it is difficult to ascertain the extent of any previous restoration work. Summary The painting therefore appears to be in good and stable condition.
"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."

Petr Vereshchagin travelled widely throughout Russia, from the North-West to the Crimea and the Urals, but he was particularly inspired by his travels to the Caucasus. He is known to have visited the region in 1862, 1873 and 1874 and his landscapes from these trips form an impressive part of his oeuvre. The present lot depicts the village of Glola in the Chanchakhi river gorge, north Georgia. On the left bank of the river are the ruins of the 17^th century Khotevi castle, of which only one building stands today. The horizon is dominated by the majestic peaks of Mount Karagoum, over 1800m high and one of the largest glaciers in the Caucasus.

Vereshchagin's sweeping panoramas are characterised by photographic detail and depth. The small figures of the two travellers are a typical detail which Vereshchagin uses to effect in his dramatic mountainscapes, such as The Darial Gorge (The Vitebsk Regional Art Museum) or In the Caucasus (The Khabarovsk Regional Art Museum). The painting brings to life a description by the 19^th century traveller Douglas Freshfield, who explored the 'tangled wilderness' and 'stony beds' of this valley in 1869.  'As spring advances, the water of the melting snow percolates the ground; and when it is at last laid bare to the warm rays of a Caucasian sun, the herbs spring as from a hot-bed from the saturated soil'. (D.Freshfield, 'Journey in the Caucasus, and Ascent of Kasbek and Elbruz', The Journal of the Royal Geographical Society, 1869, p.67).