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Condition report
A Christie's specialist may contact you to discuss this lot or to notify you if the condition changes prior to the sale.
The condition of lots can vary widely and the nature of the lots sold means that they are unlikely to be in a perfect condition. Lots are sold in the condition they are in at the time of sale.
THIS CONDITION REPORT HAS BEEN PREPARED BY HAMISH DEWAR FINE ART CONSERVATION, AN INDEPENDANT CONSERVATOR, IN THE CHRISTIE'S WAREHOUSE FOR THE PURPOSE OF THIS SALE.
UNCONDITIONAL AND WITHOUT PREJUDICE
Structural condition The canvas is unlined and is attached to the original keyed wooden stretcher and appears to be structurally sound and secure. The canvas is inscribed on the reverse and there is a horizontal patch in the lower left quadrant as seen from the reverse. There is an overall pattern of drying craquelure which is most evident in the sky and is stable. There are also vertical stretcher-bar lines which are almost inevitable for an unlined canvas of this period and it is obviously encouraging to find the canvas in it's original unlined state.
Paint surface The paint surface has an even varnish layer. Inspection under ultraviolet light shows small scattered retouchings across the paint surface with some fine lines covering craquelure. There is also a horizontal line of retouching on the ship's sail which is approximately 7 cm in length and corresponds to the patch on the reverse. There are other scattered retouchings and there may be further retouchings which I could not identify under ultraviolet light. Many of these retouchings appear to be larger than is really necessary and could be reduced with more minimal inpainting.
Summary The painting would therefore appear to be in good and stable condition and no further work is required for reasons of conservation.