- 186
Claude-Joseph Vernet
Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- Claude-Joseph Vernet
- Mountainous river landscape with two fishermen casting a net and a man with his horse-drawn cart travelling along a sandy path
- signed and dated lower left: J. Vernet. f. 1780.
- oil on canvas
Condition
The canvas has an old, firm relining, the paint surface is slightly dirty and the varnish is rather discoloured. The painting is in overall very good condition. The varnish fluoresces opaquely under ultraviolet light, making it difficult to discern any previous restoration, but there would appear to be only some extremely minor retouchings to small, localised areas of craquelure.
Offered in a carved and molded gilt wood frame with some minor knocks, in good 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."
"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
As a pure Alpine scene, this is a very rare work within Vernet's œuvre. In 1778 Vernet spent six weeks in the Swiss Alps with his son Carle, at the invitation of his most important patron, Jean Girardot de Marigny. The trip itself is testament to the close relationship between the artist and the financier, who formed an important collection of contemporary French art. This mountainous landscape with rapids would have been inspired by Vernet's trip of two years prior, as well as the five goauches he purchased in 1780 from the Swiss artist Caspar Wolf (1735–98), known for his dramatic Alpine landscapes. The composition is close to that known from an undated engraving after Vernet depicting rapids and fishermen against a mountain backdrop.1
1. F. Ingersoll-Smouse, Joseph Vernet, Paris 1922, vol. II, p. 52, cat. no. 1315, reproduced fig. 252.