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19th Century European Art and Old Masters
|
- Sale 2084
Live
| Philadelphia
Nov 7 | 10:00 AM EST
Live
| Philadelphia
Sale 2084
| Philadelphia
| Philadelphia
Estimate$8,000 – $12,000
Provenance:
Richard L. Feigen and Co., New York, by 1987
Lot note:
George Landseer, the nephew of the more famous painter Sir Edwin Landseer (1802-73), set out for India in 1859 and is thought to have stayed there for over fifteen years, traveling all over the subcontinent. The present painting depicts the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is located in Benares (Varansi), in the province of Uttar Pradesh, one of the oldest and holiest cities in India. The Kashi Vishwanath Temple is popularly known as the Golden Temple, due to the gold plating of its spire. In 1835, the Maharaja Ranjit Singh donated one ton of pure gold to be used for the spire and in three domes. The titular spire is shown in the composition, along with the many other spires of the holy complex. Figures congregate in the plaza, some of which surround a white cow, which is considered sacred in Hinduism, as it is representative of the divine and natural beneficence.
Framed: 30 1/4 x 23 1/4 inches.
Minor deposits of surface dirt and dust; canvas is not lined; stretcher bar marks around image perimeter; network of craquelures throughout, mostly visible under strong light; inpainting visible under normal viewing conditions and UV light in the upper right and left corners; one white piece of debris adhered to surface in center right; under a moderately discolored varnish layer. Under UV light: areas of inpainting throughout the sky, though primarily located in the upper right and left corners; spots of inpainting to the left of the gold dome; pinpoint spots of inpainting in the second right arch. Additional images available upon request.
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Madalina Lazen
VP Head of Department, Old Masters & 19th Century European Art
