- 324
William Simpson
Estimate
5,000 - 8,000 GBP
Log in to view results
bidding is closed
Description
- William Simpson
- Valley of Vardan, Caucasus
- Watercolour and bodycolour over pencil;
signed lower right: Wm Simpson / 1858, inscribed lower left: Valley of Vardan, Caucasus / 19th Oct 1855 - 316 by 467 mm
Provenance
Rodney Searight (1909-1991)
Exhibited
London, Royal Academy, The Great Age of British Watercolours 1750-1850, 1993, no. 356 (catalogue by A. Wilton and A. Lyles)
Condition
This work has been well preserved. The colours are bright and the image is strong. There may be a small area of rubbing in the foreground to the left of centre - if this is the case, the abrasion is very slight. Along a small parts of the edges there is the occasional mount-stain line and there is the occasional small foxmark within the sheet.
"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
This watercolour was drawn in two stages. It was, according to Simpson, begun on the 19th October 1855, during his six week tour of the Crimea, and completed in 1858, many months after he had returned safely to London.
Simpson had travelled to the Crimean War at the request of the art dealers Colnaghi & Sons, who hoped to convert some of the watercolours he made there into lithographs. This particular image was not used in the final series, but those that were printed helped to establish Simpson as among the leading artists of his day.
This watercolour was once owned by the Rodney Searight who assembled a highly important collection of British works on paper. In 1985, he presented over two thousand works to the Victoria & Albert Museum, London.