Beschreibung:

DescriptionProperty from a European Private Collection
Henry Petheractive in London 1828 - 1865London, a view of the Thames with the new Palace of Westminster under construction - Day
signed lower right: Henry Petheroil on canvasunframed: 61.5 x 91.5 cm.; 24¼ x 36 in.framed: 77.2 x 107.5 cm.; 30½ x 42⅜ in.Condition reportThe canvas is lined and the paint surface is very clean. The entire surface is covered in a modern glossy varnish. There are no visible signs of damage or discoloured retouching with the naked eye. The minute brushstrokes, particularly in the water, the white of the clouds, and in the architecture on the right, seem well preserved. The browns in the wooden platform along the bottom edge appears to consist of retouching. Inspection under ultraviolet light reveals scattered retouching particular found in the sky. This is concentrated on the far left hand side, along the top edge, and along the extreme edges of the canvas. There is also some minor strengthening visible in the architectural details of the palace of Westminster and in the buildings on the right. The painting is in a good condition. The work is offered in a carved gilt style frame.
Please note that Condition 12 of the Conditions of Business for Buyers (Online Only) is not applicable to this lot.
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. Certain images of the lot provided online may not accurately reflect the actual condition of the lot. In particular, the online images may represent colors and shades which are different to the lot's actual color 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. The condition report is a statement of opinion only. For that reason, the condition report is not an alternative to taking your own professional advice regarding the condition of the lot. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS ONLINE CONDITION REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE/BUSINESS APPLICABLE TO THE RESPECTIVE SALE.ProvenanceAnonymous sale, London, Christie's, 8 November 1996, lot 99, for £23,000;
With Richard Green, London;
From whom acquired by the present owner.Catalogue noteThis signed work by Henry Pether captures the construction of one of London's most significant pieces of architecture. It shows a view of the Thames with architect Sir Charles Barry and A.W.N. Pugin's new Palace of Westminster nearing completion. The entire scene is bathed in a warm pink light, contrasted against the soft blues and greens of the water, a palette that resembles the tones of a Turner watercolour. Of particular note are the wooden cranes perched on top of the Victoria Tower, a portion of the building which was only completed in May 1860. Just visible to the right is the incomplete St Stephen's Tower, home to the iconic bell 'Big Ben', which was completed a year earlier in May 1859. A drawing and watercolour of the building at the same stage of completion, 'sketched on the spot' by the artist James Wilson Carmichael (1800–1868), is preserved in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.1
To the right is a view of the Tudor brick Morton's Tower at Lambeth Palace, the London residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury. Just to the right of this is the Church of St. Mary-at-Lambeth, a Victorian restoration of a much earlier building which is now the Garden Museum.
Another version of this view was sold from the collection of Stanley J. Passmore in 1977.21 https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1271616/the-houses-of-parliament-in-drawing-james-wilson-carmichael/2 Anonymous sale, London, Christie's, 21 October 1977, lot 143.