Monogrammist CM

Water Schrott (L.2383);
possibly Freiherr von Eelking, his sale (?), Cologne, 3-4 June 1902 (as Cornelis Massijs);
possibly Amsler and Ruthardt sale, Berlin, 25-27 May 1908;
bears unidentified collector's mark, verso (not in Lugt)

Unframed. Three quarters of the lower edge has been cut, which may have resulted in a loss to part of the inscription. There is a crease along the right margin, and two small tears and a loss along the left edge, made up with an old repair. There is some discolouration in the upper left corner, and generally the sheet is very lightly foxed. Also a small hole near the lower right corner, repaired. The ink, however, is still strong and quite fresh.
"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 design is part of a series of eighteen drawings, probably for glass roundels, which appeared on the market at the Eelking sale, Cologne 1902, and the Amsler and Ruthardt sale, Berlin 1908.¹  Several of the sheets bear the monogram CM (or MC), and as a result were previously attributed to Cornelis Massijs.  However, no connection has been convincingly made with Massijs' works, which are furthermore signed with the monogram CMA.  Instead, Boon has suggested that the drawings derive from from the circle of Dirck Vellert.²  Three designs from the series are in the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam³, and another is in the Nordico - Museum der Stadt, Linz .⁴

1. K.G. Boon, Netherlandish Drawings of the Fifteenth and Sixteenth Centuries, The Hague 1978, p. 198-90, cat. nos. 507-9

2. Boon, loc.cit.

3. Boon, loc.cit. fig. 509, and further illustrated in M. Schapelhouman, Netherlandish Drawings circa 1600, The Hague 1987, cat. nos. 1978, 507; 1978, 508

4. E. Pokorny, Deutsche und Niederländische Zeichnungen des 16-17 Jahrhunderts, Linz 1993, cat. no. 30