LOT DETAILS

Materials:

oil on canvas

Measurements:

Edition:

RUSSIAN OFFICERS AND CIRCASSIAN COSSACKS AT A MILITARY OUTPOST DURING THE CAUCASUS CAMPAIGN, POSSIBLY WITH A SELF-PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST SKETCHING IN HIS BOOK

Markings:

RUSSIAN OFFICERS AND CIRCASSIAN COSSACKS AT A MILITARY OUTPOST DURING THE CAUCASUS CAMPAIGN, POSSIBLY WITH A SELF-PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST SKETCHING IN HIS BOOK

Condition:

The canvas is lined, and the paint surface is relatively dirty with a very slightly discoloured varnish. Much of the impasto brushwork notably in the mountains, clouds, and foliage remains intact. The network of craquelure has become slightly more pronounced in the dark uniforms of some of the officers. Inspection under ultraviolet light reveals retouching along the left, upper, and right margins, a few small spots scattered in the sky, with two more notable areas upper centre, and one between the mountain and foliage centre left - all approx. 3 x 2 cm. There is retouching along a horizontal scratch approx. 15 cm. long, which extends across the red roof into the foliage. Parts of the uneven varnish fluoresce lightly, notably in the dark uniforms of the central figures and in the foliage in the lower left corner. The figures appear largely untouched save for some retouching in the lower half of the dark uniform of the furthest right standing figure, and more notable retouching in the two furthest right sitting figures comprising a patch measuring approx. 3 x 6 cm. and a vertical band measuring approx. 15 cm. Otherwise there are only a few small spots of scattered retouching throughout the rest of the composition. These are all sensitively executed and do not impede the legibility of the image, which is ready to hang in its current state. 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.