- 109
Johann Köler
Estimate
12,000 - 18,000 GBP
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Description
- Johann Köler
- Portrait of a Lady
- signed and inscribed Viljandi in Cyrillic and dated 1876 l.r.
- oil on canvas
- 58.5 by 52cm, 23 by 20 1/2 in.
Provenance
Antoni Ghillis, Russia
Thence by descent to the present owner
Thence by descent to the present owner
Condition
The canvas is original. The surface is dirty with a layer of slightly yellowed varnish. There are areas of paint loss around the edges and a small scratch with associated paint loss near the left edge. The canvas is slightly undulated in the lower right quadrant and the painting has several areas of loss and some minor craquelure. Under UV pigment fluoresces in the neck/necklace area, in the scarf, in areas of her hair, and in the background. Held in a gold painted wood frame. Unexamined out of 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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
Johann Köler is considered one of the most important Estonian painters of the 19th century, and is known especially for his exquisite portraiture. Born in Viljandi, Estonia, he travelled to St. Petersburg in 1846 and was admitted to the Imperial Academy of Arts. Upon finishing his studies, Köler travelled extensively throughout Europe, but returned to Russia in 1861 in order to become the drawing tutor of Grand Duchess Maria Alexandrovna, daughter of Czar Alexander II. This lot is believed to have been in the possession of the writer Leo Tolstoy before entering the collection of his administrator, Antoni Ghillis.