Oswald Achenbach

Purchased by the present owner in 2008.

The following condition report has been prepared by Hamish Dewar Ltd., 13 and 14 Mason's Yard, St James', London, SW1Y 6BU: UNCONDITIONAL AND WITHOUT PREJUDICE: Structural Condition The canvas is unlined and is securely attached to the artist's original keyed wooden stretcher. This is providing a stable structural support. There are slightly raised stretcher-bar lines corresponding to each of the stretcher members and there is an area of slightly raised craquelure within the sky in the upper left quadrant of the composition. There are two vertical lines of repair visible on the left of the canvas as viewed from the reverse. These are also stable. Paint surface The paint surface has an uneven, discoloured and degraded varnish layer. Inspection under ultra-violet light confirms the discoloured and degraded varnish layer which prevents the u-v light from fully penetrating. Inspection under ultra-violet light also shows scattered retouchings, including: 1) two intermittent, parallel diagonal lines of retouching with associated spots and lines within the sky and the hills in the lower centre of the composition, 2) several retouchings within the water and on the shore line in the lower right quadrant of the composition, 3) an area of small spots and lines of retouching on and above the lower slopes of Vesuvius, 4) small scattered spots of retouching within sky, including a vertical line of retouching above the sails of the boat in the far right of the composition, 5) a few tiny spots of retouching within the face of the woman wearing a white headscarf in the lower left quadrant of the composition. Many of these retouchings are visible in natural light. Due to the opaque varnish layers it is not possible to ascertain the extent of any previous restoration work. Summary The painting would therefore appear to be in reasonably good and stable condition and would benefit from cleaning, restoration and revarnishing.
"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."