Carlo Bossoli

The Fould-Springer Collection
Christie's Paris, Palais Abbatial de Royaumont, 21 September 2011, lot 638

One of the views of the exterior of the property has a small tear top right. The other sheets are in fairly good condition, with only some very minor wear to the corners. There are some light spots of surface staining in places and light handling marks. Held in matching wooden frames and under glass.
"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."

The Southern Crimean estate of Mishkor belonged to Lev Alexandrovich Naryshkin (1785-1846), husband of Olga Stanislavovna, née Countess Pototskaya (1802-1861).

The present set of views comprise two views of the exterior of the Naryshkin property at Miskhor (i and ii); a view of Ai-Petri seen from Miskhor, depicting the Khasta-Bash waterfall (iii); ground floor terrace with Naryshkin smoking a pipe, and his wife and 13 year old daughter Sofia (1829-1894), later Countess Shuvalova (iv); the ground floor terrace with interior water feature in the style of the Maria fountain in the Bakhchisarai Palace (v); interior with the Naryshkin family entertaining Count Vorontsov in military uniform and his wife Countess Elizabeth Ksavierevna (vi); the shore at Miskhor, with two bathing tents in the distance (vii).

Count Vorontsov's estate at Alupka was two versts from Miskhor. Vorontsov was Bossoli’s patron and through his support, the artist’s work became very fashionable. He was regularly commissioned to produce views of the estates of aristocratic families on the Black Sea and Odessa, including Miskhor. Several views from this series, formerly in the collections of the Naryshkin, Shuvalov and Dolgoruky families, are now in the State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg.

We are grateful to Galina Grigorievna Filatova, former director of the Anton Chekhov Museum, Yalta, for providing additional cataloguing information.