Aert Schouman

Anonymous sale, Bonn, August Bodiger, 6 October 1970, lot 1030 (as The Annunciation)

L.J. Bol, Aart Schouman, Ingenious Painter and Draughtsman, Doornspijk 1991, p. 119, n. 28

Sold in a carved and gilded wooden frame. Lightly attached at the upper centre to an acid backing board. This has caused the sheet to yellow, apart from a clear blue spot at the upper centre of the recto, where the glue has shielded the drawing. There is, however, no foxing and no losses to the paper.
"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."

Religious subjects such as this are highly unusual for Schouman and, indeed, only one other such drawing by the artist appears to be recorded.¹  Fascinatingly, the RKD lists a painting by Schouman, now lost, with the same subject as the present sheet: 'Manoah, bowed down to earth in an attitude of respect, at his side a woman, also kneeling, while the Angel disappears from their midst, the Images are well drawn, the clothing loosely draped, and everything strongly and masterfully painted on canvas...'.²  The description is so close to the composition of this drawing that one must conclude that the sheet is a ricordo of the lost painting, or a very finished study for it.

The scene shows the foretelling of the birth of the Old Testament Judge, Samson.  An angel, traditionally given to be the angel Gabriel, appeared to Samson's mother, announcing the event and prophesying that her son would deliver Israel from the Philistines.  In thanks Manoah, Samson's father, sacrificed a kid upon an altar and the angel flew up to heaven in the flames above it. 

1. Simeon in the Temple, after Rembrandt, sold Amsterdam, Sotheby's, 10 November 1998, lot 122
2. L.J. Bol, op.cit., p. 116.  The painting sold from the Johan van Slingelandt Collection in Dordrecht, 22 August 1785, lot 376