IVAN PAVLOVICH POKHITONOV | View over the Cockerill Plant at Seraing

Acquired directly from the artist by Auguste and Rachel Collon, Liège
Thence by descent to the present owner

The panel is ever so slightly bowed. There is light wear to the edges and corners with some minor associated paint losses to the upper edge and corners. Frame abrasions are also visible towards the edges. There is a layer of surface dirt and the varnish layer has discoloured. Drying cracks are visible in the chimney smoke in the centre of the composition. There are a few surface scratches in places, notably to the left of the centre of the upper edge. The composition is unfinished and the artist's ink underdrawing is visible in places, for example the path and shed in the foreground. Inspection under UV light reveals no obvious signs of restoration. Held in a simple wooden frame. Unexamined out of frame.
"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."

Auguste Collon was a famous Belgian engineer and doctor in mineralogy, who spent most of his life working in the metallurgical industry, traveling across the world as far as the Russian Empire and Brazil. Collon and his wife Rachel Goron, who was originally from Lithuania, were friends with Ivan Pokhitonov and acquired a number of works directly from him. The present view of the Cockerill plant would have been of special significance to Collon. Between 1905 and 1919 he was the Secretary-General of the John Cockerill Company, one of Europe’s major iron and steel producers. The present lot will be included in the third volume of the catalogue raisonné currently being prepared by Olivier Bertrand and is accompanied by his signed certificate.