Jacob Isaacksz. van Ruisdael Haarlem 1628/9 - 1682 Amsterdam

Sale, Utrecht, Jan Bleuland (Lamme), 6ff. May 1839, lot 290, for Dfl. 825 to Lelie;
J.C.A. Mestern collection, Hamburg, by 1864, no. 12;
With Galerie Weber, Hamburg, 1907;
By whom sold, Berlin, Lepke, 20 February 1912, lot 296, for DM 16,000;
Anonymous sale, London, Christie's, 28 July 1926, lot 92, for 472 gns., 10s. to Mason;
Anonymous sale, London, Christie's, 9 December 1927, lot 26, for 325 gns., 10s. to Morant Gallery;
With D.A. Hoogendijk, Amsterdam, 1932.

G. Parthey, Deutscher Bildersaal. Verzeichniss der in Deutschland vorhanden Oelbilder verstorbender Maler aller Schulen, vol. II, Berlin 1863-4, p. 457, no. 41 (as in the Mestern collection, Hamburg);
G.F. Waagen, Raisonnirende Catalog der Gemäldesammlungen des Herrn. J.C.A. Mestern zu Hamburg, Hamburg 1877, p. 17, no. 8, reproduced;
C. Hofstede de Groot, A Catalogue Raisonné..., vol. IV, London 1912, pp. 149-50, cat. no. 471a;
J. Rosenberg, Jacob van Ruisdael, Berlin 1928, p. 89, no. 273;
S. Slive, Jacob van Ruisdael, New Haven/London 2001, pp. 279-80, cat. no. 359, reproduced (as location unknown). 

The original is warmer and more contrasted than as shown in the catalogue illustration. The canvas has a fairly old lining which is sound. The paint surface is quite worn in some areas, resulting in a loss of detail, for example to the foliage and pond surface. The left middle distance and the staffage have also lost some definition. There appears to be some strengthening to the sky, above the horizon and towards the upper left and upper right. Inspection under ultra-violet light is mostly inhibited by the thick layer of dirt and discoloured varnish, but there is almost certainly further interference beneath. This painting is in reasonable condition overall and would benefit from a good surface clean. Sold with an old carved and gilt wood frame with elaborate floral carving at the corners, in good condition. AF*
"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."

A copy of this small landscape appeared as the overmantel in a painting by Eglon Hendrick van der Neer depicting A Portrait of a couple in a richly appointed interior, now in Boston, Museum of Fine Arts (see Slive, under Literature, p. 279, fig. 359a). However, when the painting was cleaned in 1963 this copy was discovered to be a later addition to Van der Neer's work as underneath appeared a painting depicting Venus and Cupid with two doves. The copyist had however followed the present work precisely, even including Ruisdael's signature where it appears here, in the lower centre right.