Lot 31
  • 31

Jan Josefsz. van Goyen

Estimate
60,000 - 80,000 EUR
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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

The actual painting has a little less contrast in the darker colours than the catalogue illustration suggests. The canvas is relined; two pieces of hard board are attached to the stretcher as protection. The paint surface is thinly applied, but in good and stable condition. No damages are visible to the naked eye. The paint surface is under a clean and transparent varnish layer. Inspection under UV-light reveals scattered, dotted retouchings throughout the sky, a retouched small vertical and horizontal tear of approx. 5 cm to the lower right of the centre figure and minor scattered spots throughout the sandy road in the foreground.Otherwise the paint layer is well preserved. Offered in a decorative, gilt wood frame, in good condition. (JD)
"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.