This canvas has been lined with wax as an adhesive. The cracking in the sky is not unusual, but the wax lining is not sufficiently stabilizing the paint layer. The cracks are raised and indicating slight instability, particularly in the center of the sky and in the lower left of the sky. The painting is otherwise generally in very good condition. If the wax lining is reversed and replaced with a non-acidic lining, the paint layer would be stabilized and the cracking would be considerably less visible.
Under ultraviolet light, although some of the artist's original pigment reads quite darkly in some areas of the water, it is doubtful that there are retouches of any note here, except possibly in a diagonal line in the breaking wave in the lower left. Some of the artist's original pigment also shows strongly in the sky. There are some strokes of paint in the right side of the sky, above the sun in the center, and in the left side of the sky, which possibly could be restoration. These are likely to be original pigment, but if they are restoration, it would be broad and interpretative rather than addressing any particular condition issue. Some small cracks beneath the sun do seem to have been restored.
This report was prepared by Simon Parkes Art Conservation, Inc., New York
The lot is sold in the condition it is in at the time of sale. The condition report is provided to assist you with assessing the condition of the lot and is for guidance only. Any reference to condition in the condition report for the lot does not amount to a full description of condition. The images of the lot form part of the condition report for the lot provided by Sotheby's. Certain images of the lot provided online may not accurately reflect the actual condition of the lot. In particular, the online images may represent colours and shades which are different to the lot's actual colour and shades. The condition report for the lot may make reference to particular imperfections of the lot but you should note that the lot may have other faults not expressly referred to in the condition report for the lot or shown in the online images of the lot. The condition report may not refer to all faults, restoration, alteration or adaptation because Sotheby's is not a professional conservator or restorer but rather the condition report is a statement of opinion genuinely held by Sotheby's. For that reason, Sotheby's condition report is not an alternative to taking your own professional advice regarding the condition of the lot.
