Circle of Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn

Mrs. Huge Rathbone;
By whom sold, London, Sotheby's, 28 November 1951, lot 40;
M.Q. Morris, London, 1959;
Anonymous sale, London, Sotheby's, 7 April 1982, lot 90 (all of the above as by Rembrandt);
Private collection, Switzerland.

C. Wright, Dutch landscape painting, Newcastle 1983, pp. 52-5, cat. no. 32, reproduced p. 52 and 54 (as by Rembrand)t;
G.J.M. Weber, in Ch. Vogelaar, G.J.M. Weber, B. Bakker, Rembrandts landschappen, Leiden 2006, p. 115, reproduced fig. 98.

The actual painting is less dark and more blue in tone than the catalogue illustration suggests. The panel seems to consist of 2 horizontal planks and is cradled to the reverse, because of several repaired splits; one in the lower right corner, one in the lower left corner and two in the upper left corner and centre. The paint layer is secure, but quite abraded and subsequent retouchings can be made out with the naked eye, in particular in the sky. The paint surface is under a fairly clear layer of varnish. Under UV light the paint surface looks substantially restored. Offered in a gilt carved wood frame with some chips.
"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."

This painting is a contemporary copy of a painting by Rembrandt in the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister, Staatliche Museen Kassel, which can be dated circa 1640. It follows the composition exactly, but with more sky. Interestingly, according to the old catalogues of 1783 up to 1845, the Kassel painting once was larger in height as well.¹ The present work therefore most likely repeats the original composition.

We are grateful to Dr. Justus Lange, curator of the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister, Staatliche Museen Kassel, for his help in cataloguing this lot.

1. The Kassel painting measures at present 67 x 87.5 cm., but in the old catalogues from 1783 up to 1845 measured 97 x 86.5 cm. In the catalogue of 1888 it was measured 66 x 86 cm., which means it must have been cut down at the top between 1845 and 1888.