- 31
Jan Josefsz. van Goyen
Description
- A Dune Landscape with Peasants by a Track
- signed and dated lower right: VGoyen 1634
- oil on canvas
Provenance
Probably Count Wallmoden-Gimborn;
His sale, Hannover, 1 September 1818, lot 208;
Baron Etienne Martin de Beurnonville;
His sale, Paris, 21 May 1883, lot 59, for 2100 Francs, to Kleinberger;
With G. Détsy, Goedoelle;
Anonymous sale, Paris, 28 March 1884, lot 16, to Fr. Paulig;
Her sale, Cologne, 19 May 1890, lot 43, for 1325 Mark, to Baumeister;
H.T. Chapman, New York;
Anonymous sale, New York, 27 January 1913, lot 403;
James Spencer, New York;
With Schaeffer Galleries, New York;
With P. de Koeningsberg, Buenos Aires, no. 29, by 1945;
Anonymous sale, New York, Christie's, 24 January 2003, lot 15;
Where purchased by the present owner.
Exhibited
Karlsbad, 188(3?), no. 27;
Brooklyn, Brooklyn Museum of Art, 1908 (on loan from H.T. Chapman).
Literature
C. Hofstede de Groot, A Catalogue Raisonné..., London 1923, vol. VIII, p. 123, no. 478;
H.-U. Beck, Jan van Goyen 1596-1656, Amsterdam 1973, vol. II, p. 495, no. 1133.
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."
Catalogue Note
Beginning in 1630, Van Goyen adopted a much simpler, monochromatic palette and the present composition provides a fine example of the technical changes which characterised this period. Van Goyen moved away from linear brushwork and compositions containing multiple figures toward a more painterly technique and simplified composition integrated by the modulation of colour and tone. Here a simple dune landscape is presented with a group of four peasants relaxing and conversing by a low fence. The canvas is executed in a highly painterly, rough manner. Thick, vigorous brushstrokes come together to form the rising dunes which occupy a large portion of the foreground. Similarly, the loose handling of the sky creates a sense of drama which is momentarily interrupted by the dominating tree, nestled squarely in the middle of the canvas.