GUSTAV BAUERNFEIND | JERUSALEM, FROM THE MOUNT OF OLIVES AT SUNRISE

Property of a Gentleman
GUSTAV BAUERNFEIND
Sulz 1848-1904 Jerusalem
JERUSALEM, FROM THE MOUNT OF OLIVES AT SUNRISE

signed and inscribed lower right: Jerusalem
oil on canvas
130 by 194 cm.; 51 by 76¼in.
Painted circa 1902.

Condition Report:
UNCONDITIONAL AND WITHOUT PREJUDICE
The following condition report has been prepared by Hamish Dewar Fine Art Conservation, 14 Masons Yard, Duke Street, St James, London SW1Y 6BU.

Structural Condition
The canvas is unlined and is securely attached to a keyed wooden stretcher. The large stretcher has two central vertical cross members and is supported with metal bracing brackets on the reverse. There are four small patched repairs on the reverse of the canvas : two in the upper right corner, one in the lower left corner and one in the centre right below the central horizontal stretcher member. These appear stable. There is an overall pattern of raised lines of craquelure including corresponding to the stretcher members. This is consistent with a large unlined painting of this age and is stable. There are a few undulations below the upper edge. These are most noticeable when the painting is inspected in raking light.
It is obviously most encouraging to find the canvas in it's original unlined state.

Paint Surface
The paint surface has an even glossy varnish layer.
The paint surface appears stable.
Inspection under ultraviolet light shows scattered retouchings throughout the sky including a large retouching below the left part of the upper edge which measures approximately 8 x 5cm. There are a few other retouchings in the sky including corresponding to the patches on the reverse which are larger than the numerous small spots and lines. There are also a number of small scattered retouchings within the city and the foreground including a retouching below the city walls in the centre left which corresponds to a patched repair on the reverse, and several retouchings in the lower left and right corners composition. Many of the retouchings appear excessive and could hopefully be reduced with more careful inpainting.

Summary
The painting would therefore appear to be in good and stable condition with retouchings being largely limited to the sky. The painting should respond well to cleaning, restoration and revarnishing.

"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."