Lot 107
  • 107

LOUIS-FRANÇOIS CASSAS | The Bourtassi Mosk, or The Derviches Convent, Tripoli, Lebanon

Estimate
30,000 - 50,000 EUR
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Description

  • Louis-François Cassas
  • The Bourtassi Mosk, or The Derviches Convent, Tripoli, Lebanon
  • Signed and dated lower right lf Cassas f. 1813
  • Watercolor on paper, thin band of paper added 1x 44 cm lower right, probably by the artist himself
  • 66,3 x 93 cm ; 25 5/8 by 36 1/4 in.
aquarelle sur papier,signé et daté en bas à droite lf Cassas 1813

Provenance

Purchased by the current owner's family in the 1950s

Literature

For a similar work, Léon de Laborde, Voyage de la Syrie par Messieurs Alexandre de Laborde, Becker, Hall, et Léon de Laborde, Paris, 1837, pl. XVII, 33

Condition

small tear near the upper right edge ; some little white dots in the foliage on the right and left sides ; one diagonal scratch on the rock at the bottom ; a few visible worn areas in the top lower corner due to the friction with the frame and scattered across the surface ; a little scratch in the water ; few foxing scattered across the surface especially in the sky and the mountain; very good overall 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."

Catalogue Note

Cassas travelled to Tripoli, Lebanon, in spring 1785, where he made several live sketches. None, that we know of to this day, represent the Kadischa Valley, where the Bourtassi mosk is. Nevertheless, beautiful compositions executed in the 1810-20s witness the fact that the artist had kept this landscape, that he had seen decades before, in his memories. 
We would like to thank Madame Annie Gilet for kindly identifying the location of the scene.