- 133
Edwaert Collier
Estimate
10,000 - 15,000 GBP
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Description
- Edwaert Collier
- A vanitas still life with celestial and terrestial globes, a pair of dividers, a sextant, an inkwell with a quill and a candle, and a copy of "A mathematical compendium, or, Useful practices in arithmetick, geometry, and astronomy, geography and navigation, embattelling, and quartering of armies, fortification and gunnery, gauging and dyalling: explaining the logarithms, with new indices, Nepair's rods or bones, making of movements, and the application of pendulums: with the projection of the sphere for an universal dyal, Etc." by Sir Jonas Moore
- oil on canvas
Provenance
Private Collection, Northampton, Massachusetts
Condition
STRUCTURE
The canvas has not been lined.
PAINT SURFACE
The painting appears to be in good overall condition with no visible damage or loss of paint. There is a thin craquelure throughout in keeping with it's age and there is a minor stretcher bar mark visible in the upper right.
ULTRAVIOLET
Examination under ultraviolet light reveals thick uneven layer of discoloured varnish. There are scattered minor retcouhings to the background in the outlines of the globes and there is evidence of an old minor repaired tear measuring approx. 7 cm. to the left in the lower centre. There is a further old horizontal repaired tear in the lower centre measuring approx. 15 cm. However the painting appears to be in good stable condition.
FRAME
Held in a black Dutch-style wood frame.
"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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
The present picture can most likely be dated to Collier's sojourn in England in 1693. The elements of the still life can clearly be linked to the interests and career of the polymath Sir Jonas Moore (1617-1679). Moore, who had been the surveyor responsible for two of the greatest engineering feats of the 17th century, the Great Level of the Fens and the building of the Mole at Tangiers, was promoted to the position of Surveyor General of the Ordinance responsible for the inspection of the ordinance, ensuring it was received in good condition, was of good quality and was well maintained, as well as being responsible for the mapping and fortifications of the realm. Moore was also greatly interested in Astronomy, and his position of Surveyor General enabled him to be the principal figure in the establishment of the Royal Observatory at Greenwich, of which he was also one of the main patrons. The first edition of his mathematical compendium was published in 1674, and would seem to support a dating to later in Collier's career.