Jacob van Strij Dordrecht 1756 - 1815

With Gemäldegalerie Abels, Cologne, by 1975;
Anonymous sale, Cologne, Lempertz, 23 - 26 October 1985, lot 1205;
Anonymous sale, Van Ham Kunstauktionen, 21 April 2007, lot 1865.

Düsseldorf, Westdeutsche Kunstmesse, 20 - 28 March 1976.

The actual painting is warmer in tone than the catalogue illustration suggests. The panel is flat and stable. It consists of 3 planks, joined horizontally, and is bevelled on all sides. Two very tiny paint losses can be observed in the background in the sky, and another tiny one in the tree trunk to the left. Otherwise, the painting seems to be in very good condition. The paint surface is under a slightly dirty varnish layer. Inspection under ultra violet light confirms the retouching as mentioned above and reveals minor strenghtening in the foliage along the left edge, but further inspection is impeded by the varnish layer. Offered in a decorative carved and gilt wood frame, in good condition. (MW)
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While close in its conception to the work of his Dordrecht predecessor, Aelbert Cuyp, whose work Van Strij liked to imitate, this river landscape differs remarkably from Cuyp's colouring. Van Strij's composition is permeated with greenish tones rather than the yellow-brown hues that dominate Cuyp's landscapes. In general, Van Strij preferred simpler and clearer arranged compositions, executed in a more detailed manner. See, for example, the minutely rendered hairs of the goat and cow hides. Another almost identical version of this work, but on canvas, was sold London, Christie's, 4 July 1996, lot 179, as Circle of Jacob van Strij.