Highlights from the Behrendt collection include a magnificent set of David Roberts’ monumental works on the Middle East (lot 71), one of the greatest lithographically illustrated works of the nineteenth century, and a complete first edition set of Captain James Cook’s voyages (lot 59). Also of note is an attractive atlas by Frederick de Wit in a publisher’s binding, containing all maps in first or early states, including the important world map (lot 77). Whilst the majority of the books reflect Mr. Behrendt's interests in travel and exploration, further highlights include two early editions of Isaac Newton's magnum opus&nbsp;(lots 94-95), including a first English language edition with contemporary provenance.

Books & Manuscripts: Our Specialist’s Selection

The sale is led by an extraordinary Panoramic landscape by Hans Bol, executed in distemper on fine linen (waterwerf) (lot 85). Works in this medium are now vanishingly rare, on account of their fragility; the Behrendt example is one of the two best preserved and is in almost pristine condition. Other highlights include a magnificent pair of landscapes by Hendrik Frans van Lint, called Lo Studio (lot 84), a pair of sunlit views of Rome by his son, Giacomo van Lint (lot 25), a silvery river landscape by Philips Wouwerman, acknowledged among the artist’s best productions from as early as 1799 (lot 80), and an Italianate landscape by Jakob Philipp Hackert (lot 27).

Old Master Paintings

London

SVP, Deputy Chairman, Sotheby's Europe & Co-Chairman Old Masters Worldwide

George Gordon

Head of Department, Old Master Paintings

Elisabeth Lobkowicz

Cataloguer, Furniture

Cameron Di Leo

Cataloguer, Books & Manuscripts

William Passey

Cataloguer, Old Master Paintings

Alice Da Costa 

Meet our Specialists

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We are honoured to offer the erudite and cosmopolitan collection of Sven A. Behrendt, whose varied interests encompassed Old Master Paintings, seventeenth- and eighteenth-century books and Chinese sculpture. Come and take a tour around the world through the objects that form this global collection.

A Worldwide Grand Tour: The Sven A. Behrendt Collection