Johannes Stortenbeker

A gift from the artist to the Dutch architect Lucas Hermanus Eberson, 1875
Sale Amsterdam (Mak van Waay), 24 September 1973, lot 242
Collection Antoon de Werd, Oss
Private collection, The Netherlands

Original canvas. This work is in fine condition, ready to hang. The drawing: the silk has creased and some foxings are visible.
"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 handwritten inscription on the reverse reads: Opgedragen uit achting vriendschap en Erkentenis Aan Den Weledelgestrenge Heer L.H. Eberson, Architect des Konings door Joh. Stortenbeker, 's Hage Dec 1875

Together with an explanatory ink on silk drawing summing up the artists depicted.

Johannes Stortenbeker, who was not only active as a genre-painter and portraitist, but equally as a painter of decorations in the royal palaces, was engaged to take care of an important part of the decoration in the 'Kunstzaal' of Het Loo Palace in Apeldoorn. He produced some paintings depicting the leading painters of the seventeenth century that were attached to the tympans. The present lot can be considered as a preliminary study for one of these.
The composition is based on the School of Athens by Raphael in the Stanze of the Palazzi Pontifici in the Vatican. The present lot was a present of the artist to the Dutch architect Lucas Hermanus Eberson (1822-1889) who was appointed architect des konings (the king's architect) in 1874. In this position he was commissioned by King Willem III of the Netherlands to design the 'Kunstzaal' in Het Loo Palace.

1, 2 Jan and Wouter Crabeth 
3 Piet van Aken 
4 Kornelis van Haarlem
5 Frans van Mierevelt
6 Hendrik Goltzius
7 Hans van Oordt
8 Govert Flink
9 Jan Anthonis Ravestein
10 Adriaen Hanneman
11 Frans Hals
12 Adriaan Brouwer, Lucas van Uden and David de Heem
13 Gerard Terborch
14 Karel de Moor
15 Gerard Dou
16 Gabriel Metsu
17 Rembrandt van Rijn
18 Bartholomeus van der Helst
19 Arnold van Houbraken
20 Karel van Mander
21 Cornelis van Poelenburg
22 Jacob Jordaens
23 Gustaaf Kneller
24 Frans van Mieris
25 Jan Steen
26 Abraham Bloemaert
27 Gerard de Lairesse
28 Godfried Schalcken
29 Pieter van der Werf
30 Jan Kalf
31 Jan Breugel and Hendrik Steenwijk
32 Pieter Zeegers
33 Erasmus van Rotterdam
34 Jan Quellinus