Aert Schouman Dordrecht 1710 - 1792 The Hague

Johan Diederik Pompe van Meerdervoort, commissioned directly from the artist, 1736;
J. Stoop, Zwijndrecht;
By whom sold, Dordrecht, Mak, 16 May 1933, lot 42, for 110 Guilders, bought back by Jhr. Dr. N.J.F. Pompe van Meerdervoort;
Thence by descent to the present owner.

Inventory list Pompe van Meerdervoort, 1753, cat. no. 29;
N. de Roever, "Aert Schouman volgens zijne aanteekenboekje", Oud Holland, vol. VI, 1888, p. 37;
E.W. Moes, Iconographia Batava, vol. II, Amsterdam 1905, no. 6009;
L.J. Bol, Aert Schouman. Ingenious Painter and Draughtsman, Doornspijk 1991, p. 38;
K. van der Leer, Het Eilandje Meerdervoort. Van ridderslot tot tuindorp, Zwijndrecht 1999, p. 19.

The actual painting is a lot brighter and warmer in tone than the catalogue illustration suggests. The panel consists of 2 planks, joined vertically, and is bevelled on all sides. A thin vertical split is visible along the join in the lower half. Two other slightly smaller vertical splits are visible just right of the joint and running from the lower edge. The paint surface has grown a bit thin, but otherwise seems to be in very good condition. A few tiny scattered retouches can be observed, e.g. along the joint, in the yellow dress, in the foliage around the vase, as well as some strengthening in the railing and in the dog. The paint surface is under a dirty varnish layer. Inspection under ultra violet light furthermore reveals additional retouches along the left and right edge, and minor strengthening in the hair of the girl in the centre. Offered in a decorative plaster gilt wood frame with a few losses. (MW)
"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 children's group portrait by Aert Schouman shows the three daughters of Johan Diederik and Johanna Alida Pompe van Meerdervoort (see previous lot); Maria Christina (born 1723), Adriana (born 1728) and Christina Elisabeth (born 1729), standing next to the flight of steps of the Meerdervoort house.

The portrait of de Pompe van Meerdervoort daughters is mentioned in Aert Schouman's own notebook in which the entry on 16 september 1736 reads: "Painted a piece with Mr van Meerdervoort's three daughters at his country estate, for which I charged 120 guilders and received 105,-."¹ Aert Schouman was befriended with the family and fulfilled many commissions for Johan Diederik Pompe van Meerdervoort, who also bought several watercolours of birds by the artist. The painter is also said to have given one of the Pompe van Meerdervoort daughters drawing lessons.² At least two watercolours of the Meerdervoort country estate by the artist have been preserved (see figure 1 and the previous lot),³  which together with the paintings themselves give a detailed description of the estate.

In the painting Maria Christina is standing, holding a flower garland, Adriana is sitting on the stairs holding a bird, while Christina Elisabeth is kneeling and petting the lamb. When looking at the drawing by Schouman (see fig.1), one can see where the girls were portrayed: on the stairs of the building left of the entrance, behind the tree.


1.  N. de Roever, `Aert Schouman volgens zijne aanteekenboekje', Oud Holland, vol. VI, 1888, p. 37.
2.  L.J. Bol, Aert Schouman. Ingenious Painter and Draughtsman, Doornspijk 1991, p. 19 & 38.
3.  Dordrecht City Archives.