Ivan Konstantinovich Aivazovsky

The Semadeni Family, Kiev
Thence by descent to the present owner

Structural Condition The artist's board is providing an even and stable structural support. There is an old label, stamps and an inscription on the reverse. Paint Surface The paint surface has an even varnish layer. There is a pattern of very fine lines of craquelure most notably within the sky. This appears entirely stable and is not visually distracting. Inspection under ultra-violet light shows an intermittent vertical line of retouching just in from the centre of the right edge, a few small spots in the upper centre of the sky, two tiny spots within the water just in from the right edge, a few tiny spots on the upper part of the right edge and a tiny spot just in from the left edge. Summary The painting would therefore appear to be in very good and stable condition and no work is required.
"This lot is offered for sale subject to Sotheby's Conditions of Business, which are available on request and printed in Sotheby's sale catalogues. The independent reports contained in this document are provided for prospective bidders' information only and without warranty by Sotheby's or the Seller."

Ivan Aivazovsky painted the present view of Cairo in 1870, making it one of his earliest known Egyptian views. While the artist was extremely well travelled, he visited Egypt only once, when he was invited to be part of the Russian delegation attending the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, and his depictions of the country are correspondingly rare.

Bernardo Semadeni was a Swiss emigrant from the Canton of Graubünden who founded a successful confectionary business in Kiev in the 1870s, which comprised several shops as well as a chocolate factory. Cafe Semadeni on Khreshchatik, located opposite the City Duma and the Exchange, was particularly popular among the new merchant elite and is mentioned in many travel guides from the early 20th century.

The present work is included in the numbered archive of the artist's work compiled by Gianni Caffiero and Ivan Samarine.