Antonio Jacobsen

Private Collection, New York

Harold S. Sniffen, Antonio Jacobsen--The Checklist, New York, 1984, no. 15, pp. 204-205

The following condition report has been provided by Simon Parkes, Simon Parkes Art Conservation, Inc. 502 East 74th St. New York, NY 212-734-3920, simonparkes@msn.com, an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. This large work on board is in better condition than most works by Jacobsen, particularly given its scale. The board is flat and the paint layer is stable. The rigging has not been abraded. The work still retains some of its old dirt. If the work were cleaned more carefully, varnished and retouched sparingly, it would be very impressive. Under ultraviolet light, there appear to be retouches in a few dots in front of the prow of the steamer and perhaps a dozen tiny dots in the sky. In the hull of the steamer, there are some broad, mainly small, retouches which do not seem to address any condition problem. In the water, there are some strokes that read darkly which may correspond to retouching, and the red stripe against the bottom of the boat seems to have been augmented slightly. The retouching could be considered somewhat aimless and cosmetic, but the work is certainly 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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.