Lot 29: ALEXEI KONDRATIEVICH SAVRASOV | The Volga near Yurevets

oil on canvas

126.5 by 207cm, 49 3/4 by 81 1/2 in.

oil on canvas

Structural Condition The canvas appears to be lined with an old lining canvas acting as a loose unattached dust canvas on the reverse. This is providing an even and stable structural support. Paint Surface The paint surface has a relatively uneven varnish layer. There are some very fine lines of craquelure most notably within the impastoed pale pigments of the sky and below the figures in the foreground. These appear stable and are not visually distracting. There are a few very small paint losses within the craquelure below the figures and a few further small losses in the lower right. These appear stable at present. Inspection under ultra-violet light shows scattered retouchings throughout the composition, the most significant of which are: 1) a vertical line with associated retouchings on the left side of the composition running from above the horizon to below the figures, 2) scattered retouchings throughout the sky including around the clouds , along the upper edge and just above the horizon on the right side of the composition, 3) small retouchings within the cliffs on the right side of the composition and a vertical line running from the cliffs through the water on the right side of the composition, and 4) other scattered retouchings within the foreground and above the lower edge. There are other areas of pale fluorescence within the composition which may be previous restoration. Summary The painting would therefore appear to be in good and stable condition.
"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."

Moscow, Exhibition of the Moscow Society of Art Lovers, 1871

The Eleventh Report of the Committee of the Society of Art Lovers, Moscow: Gotie, 1872, mentioned on p.5
N.Novouspensky, A.K.Savrasov, Leningrad and Moscow: Iskusstvo, 1967, p.118 listed under works from 1871
F.Maltseva, A.K.Savrasov, Moscow: Iskusstvo, 1977, p.111 illustrated b/w; p.298 listed under works from 1871
V.Petrov (ed.), Savrasov, Moscow: Bely gorod, 2000, p.18 illustrated b/w
L.Iovleva (ed.), A.K.Savrasov, Moscow: Skanrus, 2005, p.30 illustrated b/w; p.241, no.51 listed 

Collection of V.F.Mering, Kiev
Collection of V.I.Karzinkin, Moscow
Private collection, France