Ivan Fedorovich Choultse

This painting is unlined. The paint layer is most likely more or less clean and cracking to the paint layer is quite visible. The condition of the foreground and the ruins themselves seem to be quite good and although some original pigments fluoresce quite strongly under ultraviolet light, there are not many retouches in the foreground. In the sky there are retouches visible under ultraviolet light which address some discoloration or pentimenti, above the ruins particularly. The picture could be hung as is or the canvas could be lined, which would eliminate the cracking and provide a more even surface. The following condition report has been provided by Simon Parkes of Simon Parkes Art Conservation, Inc. 502 East 74th St. New York, NY 212-734-3920, simonparkes@msn.com , an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's.
"This lot is offered for sale subject to Sotheby's Conditions of Business, which are available on request and printed in Sotheby's sale catalogues. The independent reports contained in this document are provided for prospective bidders' information only and without warranty by Sotheby's or the Seller."

The temple of Kom-Ombo in Southern Egypt was built during the Ptolomaic dynasty.  Much of the temple was destroyed by earthquakes, the flooding of the Nile and later builders who re-used the stones, but the romantic ruins were a popular subject for artists, notably David Roberts RA (1796-1864). The site was restored in 1893 by Jacques de Morgan.