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 - Night
signed lower right: Henry Petheroil on canvasunframed: 61 x 91.2 cm.; 24 x 35⅞ in.framed: 76 x 106.5 cm.; 29⅞ x 41⅞ in.Condition reportThe canvas is lined and the paint surface is clean. The entire canvas is covered in a glossy modern varnish. The paint surface shows some signs of abrasion in the light areas of the skies, and some retouching in teh dark areas of the clouds. The whites in the sky and water are well preserved. Inspection under ultraviolet light shows scattered retouching throughout the entire sky. There is also retouching found on the edges of the canvas, particularly in the lower left corner and along the centre bottom of the canvas. There is strengthening visible also in the architectural details. The painting is in a fair condition. The work is offered in a 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, Phillips, London, 18 June 1996, lot 43, for £12,650;With Jonathan Harris, 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. 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 of the river is the Tudor Lambeth Palace, the London residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury.
1 https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1271616/the-houses-of-parliament-in-drawing-james-wilson-carmichael/