- 250
Follower of Gabriel Metsu
Estimate
5,000 - 7,000 GBP
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Description
- Gabriel Metsu
- An Elegant Couple Playing Cards
- bears signature and date lower centre on the footstool: G METSU/ 1660
- oil on oak panel, unframed
Provenance
Hoech collection, Munich, until 1892:
Martin Schubart, Munich;
Private collection, Paris (according to Plietzsch);
Private collection, Berlin (according to Plietzsch);
With Edward Plietzsch, Berlin, by whom sold to August Neuerburg (died 1944), Jungfernstieg, Hamburg (the invoice, for 140,000 Reichsmarks including partial exchange for four lesser pictures is dated 5th March 1945 but is made out to Sekretariat August Neuerburg, Jungfernstieg Hamburg, so presumably the sale was arranged the previous year before Neuerburg's death and invoiced posthumously to his office);
Thence by descent.
Martin Schubart, Munich;
Private collection, Paris (according to Plietzsch);
Private collection, Berlin (according to Plietzsch);
With Edward Plietzsch, Berlin, by whom sold to August Neuerburg (died 1944), Jungfernstieg, Hamburg (the invoice, for 140,000 Reichsmarks including partial exchange for four lesser pictures is dated 5th March 1945 but is made out to Sekretariat August Neuerburg, Jungfernstieg Hamburg, so presumably the sale was arranged the previous year before Neuerburg's death and invoiced posthumously to his office);
Thence by descent.
Literature
C. Hofstede de Groot, in Jahrbuch der Königl. preuß. Kunstsammlungen, 1903, p. 40.
Condition
The colours are much warmer and yellower in tone than the illustration suggests. The panel has an old cradle and appears to be perfectly flat and stable. The paint surface is in reasonable condition overall but is worn in many areas. Inspection under ultra violet light reveals a fair degree of restoration. The two main figures are best preserved, with restoration confined to the outlines of the man's cloak and the girl's hands, face, carpet and book, but the background has been more heavily restored, especially to wear in the shadows upper centre, around the panel join on the left and around the dogs lower left. The girl upper right has been largely repainted. The varnish remains even if a little yellowed.
This lot is sold with a modern gilt wood frame in Louis XIV style in good condition.
"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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
This painting has long been given to Gabriel Metsu, but this attribution is no longer sustainable. We are grateful to Dr. Adriaan Waiboer for tentatively suggesting a possible attribution to Joost van Geel (1631 -1698).