Nicolaes Maes

Ancienne collection de Monsieur Schuller tot Peursum, Ambassadeur des Pays-Bas à l'étranger (Espagne, Colombie, etc.), vers 1980.

The following condition report has been provided by Catherine Polnecq, 12 rue Saint-Sabin - 75011 Paris, Tel: 33 (0)1 48 05 30 53, Email: c.polnecq@hotmail.fr, an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. (1) The portrait of Johann Ortt: Good overall condition. Correctly relined. Under ultraviolet light: Some glazes in the face and hands have been reinforced. There are a few small retouches in the face and hair. Horizontal tear that has been retouched on the left of the crop (20 cm). Vertical tear that has also been retouched under the left hand (5 cm). (2) The portrait of Anna Pergens: Very good overall condition. Correctly relined. Under ultraviolet light: No visible restoration.
"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."

Nicolaes Maes rejoignit à l'âge de seize ans l'atelier de Rembrandt pour y être formé jusqu'en 1652-54, avec un goût plus affirmé pour les scènes de genre. Il se rendit une dizaine d'années plus tard à Anvers, se tournant alors vers la peinture de portraits et développant peu à peu son propre style, en accord avec l'élégance des sujets de son homologue flamand, Antoine van Dyck, dont les œuvres inspiraient déjà d'autres portraitistes tels que Jan Mijtens ou Adriaen Hanneman.

Les deux œuvres que nous présentons s'inscrivent parfaitement dans ce contexte artistique, illustrant de grandes personnalités hollandaises de l'époque. Johann Ortt et Anna Pergens appartenaient tous deux à des familles de marchands très fortunées, originaires d'Amsterdam. Avant d'épouser Anna Pergens en 1672, Ortt voyageait régulièrement à travers l'Europe, s'invitant à la cour des royaumes de France, Allemagne et Italie où il se mêlait avec les membres de l'artistocratie et les grands intellectuels de son temps. Il fit l'acquisition en 1675 du château de Nijenrode et du domaine de Breukelen, dans la province d'Utrecht. Le château était alors en ruines suite à sa destruction lors de la guerre de Hollande qui avait opposée le pays à Louis XIV et aux troupes françaises deux ans auparavant. Son nouveau propriétaire le fit entièrement reconstruire, redonnant au lieu toute sa splendeur d'antan. Cavalier passionné, Johann Ortt fit également aménager des écuries pour y abriter quelques cinquante chevaux, dont la renommée devint vite internationale. La famille Ortt occupa le château de Nijenrode jusqu'en 1853 mais Johann Ortt fut certainement le plus influant de ses membres. 


PORTRAIT OF JOHANN ORTT (1642-1701) ;
PORTRAIT OF HIS WIFE, ANNA PERGENS (1650-1733)

The first signed lower right on a pedestal
Oil on canvas, oval, a pair

Nicolaes Maes joined Rembrandt's studio at the age of sixteen and trained there until 1652-54, concentrating particularly on the depiction of genre scenes. A decade or so later he went to Antwerp, whereupon he turned to portraiture and gradually developed his own style, entirely in keeping with the elegance of his subjects and of the model of Sir Anthony van Dyck, whose works had previously inspired the portraits of Jan Mijtens and Adriaen Hanneman.

These two paintings are perfect examples of the kind of portraits Maes produced, showing important Dutch figures of the age. Johann Ortt and Anna Pergens both belonged to very wealthy merchant families originating from Amsterdam. Before marrying Anna Pergens in 1672, Ortt travelled regularly throughout Europe, inviting himself to the royal courts of France, Germany and Italy, where he mixed with the aristocracy and the great intellectuals of his age. In 1675 he acquired the castle of Nijenrode and the domain of Breukelen, in the province of Utrecht. The castle was then in ruins, following the war in Holland opposing Louis XIV and the French troops to the country. Ortt rebuilt the castle completely, restoring it to its former splendour. A passionate horseman, Johann Ortt also fitted out the stables to house some fifty horses (which gained international renown). The Ortt family lived in the castle of Nijenrode until 1853 but Johann Ortt was undoubtedly its most influential member.