Pieter Neefs le Vieux

The following condition report has been provided by Henry Gentle, an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. The oak panel has been maroflaged and cradled in order to consolidate three horizontal splits, these are stable but there is some distortion along them, as well as discoloured restoration. There is a scattering of microscopic losses across the surface and 1 or 2 retouched out damages , lower right. Some of the darker passages are thin. Overall, the condition is good. The removal of the discoloured varnish would improve the tonality.
"This lot is offered for sale subject to Sotheby's Conditions of Business, which are available on request and printed in Sotheby's sale catalogues. The independent reports contained in this document are provided for prospective bidders' information only and without warranty by Sotheby's or the Seller."

Pieter Neefs réalisa plusieurs vues de l'intérieur de cette cathédrale sous le même angle, également de nuit, bien que présentant des différences dans la disposition des figures, comme en témoigne un petit panneau passé en vente à Londres, Sotheby's, 4 décembre 1997, lot 241. Les personnages, qui auraient été peints après que Neefs eut achevé l'architecture, furent plus probablement exécutés par un élève de Frans Francken le Jeune.