Attributed to Ivan Konstantinovich Aivazovsky

Acquired by the parents of the present owner

Structural Condition The canvas is lined and is securely attached to a keyed wooden stretcher. This is providing a stable structural support. There are two thin canvas extensions on the upper and lower edges of the composition. The painting has an overall pattern of raised craquelure. This appears stable. There are also two vertical raised lines of repair running through the rocks and the sea in the upper and lower right quadrants of the composition. These also appear stable. There is a knot missing from the reverse of the upper horizontal stretcher member. Paint Surface The paint surface has a relatively even and discoloured varnish layer. Inspection under ultra-violet light confirms the discoloured and opaque varnish layer which prevents the light from fully penetrating. Inspection under ultra-violet light shows scattered retouchings throughout the composition, the most significant of which are: 1) vertical bands of retouching corresponding to the raised lines of repair mentioned above, 2) scattered retouchings throughout the sky including three vertical bands of retouching in the upper left quadrant of the composition and a large area below the centre of the upper edge, 3) retouchings corresponding to the canvas extensions mentioned above, and 4) scattered retouchings within the rocks and the sea. Many of these retouchings appear crude and excessive and could be considerably reduced with more careful inpainting. Summary. The painting would therefore appear to be in fairly good and stable condition and would benefit from cleaning, restoration and revarnishing.
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