Stanislaw Chlebowski

The painting has been strip lined at the edges. The surface retains all its original texture and detail. With the exception of some minor repairs addressing old hairline scratches or fine tears, including a fine 6cm diagonal repair in the stone pavement lower left, a 2cm vertical and a 4cm horizontal repair in the wall on the left, and a 9cm vertical repair in the door frame on the right, and some other spots of retouching along the upper and left edges, visible under ultraviolet light, the painting is in good condition. Held in a rococo style gilt wood frame. The overall appearance of the work under normal light is good and it is ready to hang. Held in a decorative gilt rococo-style gilf wood 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 its verisimilitude, Chlebowski's painting displays a remarkable knowledge of, and sensitivity to, Ottoman culture. A Circassian sentry, armed with a staff and a yataghan sword as worn by the Janissary Guard stands guard before one of the entrances to a palace, in all probability the Sultan's palace at Topkapi to judge by the archietcture and the imperial carved and gilded tughra - or Sultan's cypher - above the door.