Cornelis Visscher

F. Seymour Haden (L.1227);
Adalbert, Freiherr von Lanna (L.2773);
Arthur Feldmann, Brno;
consigned by him for sale, Lucerne, Gilhofer and Ranschburg, 28 June 1934, lot 318, reproduced plate XXIII (unsold);
Looted by the Gestapo during the Nazi occupation of Czechoslovakia;
sale, London, Sotheby's, 16 October 1946, lot 61 (together with another);
Gusta Stenman, Stockholm;
Prof. Dr. Einar Perman, Stockholm;
re-acquired in 2008 by the heirs of Arthur Feldmann

Stockholm, Nationalmuseum, Dutch and Flemish Drawings in the Nationalmuseum and other Swedish Collections, 1953, cat. 254;
Laren, Singer Museum, Oude Tekeningen uit de Nederlanden, verzameling Prof. E. Perman, Stockholm, 1962, cat. 127, reproduced fig. 48

Laid down on paper. Light stains under chin and nose and in both lower corners. Chalk somewhat rubbed in background, especially towards top edge, but overall condition otherwise good. Unframed.
"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."

Cornelis Visscher's most typical works are portrait drawings on vellum, drawn with a fine technique that betrays his apprenticeship with the Rubens pupil, Peter Soutman.  His larger, more elaborate portrait drawings are often fully signed, but there are also a number of less formal studies, such as this, which are not. Visscher can be considered the pioneer of the detailed yet highly atmospheric style of chalk figure drawing that was subsequently practised by a number of his fellow Haarlem artists.

This drawing originates from the outstanding collection formed from around 1922 by Dr. Arthur Feldmann of Brno, Czechoslovakia. It was one of several hundred of his drawings looted by the Nazis shortly after the German invasion of Moravia in 1939, and passed through various hands, before the generous co-operation of a private collector resulted in its recent re-acquisition by Dr. Feldmann's heirs. For a fuller account of the Feldmann Collection, see sale catalogues, London, Sotheby's, 6 July 2005 (pp. 20-75) and 4 July 2007 (pp.31-35, 214-215).