Lambert Harmensz. Doomer

G. Waal, Edam (L.2541);
bought from him in 1906 by Dr. Cornelis Hofstede de Groot (L.561), his sale, Leipzig, C.G. Boerner, 4 November 1931, lot 63 (440 Reichsmarks, to Mensing for Van Eeghen);
Christiaan P. van Eeghen, The Hague (bears his mark, verso, not in Lugt);
Private Collection, The Netherlands

Leiden, Stedelijk Museum 'De Lakenhal', Tentoonstelling van Teekeningen van Oud-Hollandse Meesters uit de Verzameling van Dr. C. Hofstede de Groot, 1916, III, cat. 40;
Amsterdam, Museum Fodor, Teekeningen van Oude Meesters behoorende tot de Verzameling van Mr. Chr. P. van Eeghen, 1935, cat. 37, fig. 16;
Groningen, Groninger Museum, Van Cuyp tot Rembrandt, de Verzameling Cornelis Hofstede de Groot, 2005-6, cat. 27, reproduced

O. Hirschmann, review of 1916 Leiden exhibition, Der Cicerone, 8, 1916-17, p. 207;
C. van Hasselt, Landschaptekeningen van Hollandse meesters uit de XVIIe eeuw, exh. cat., Brussels/Rotterdam/Paris/Berlin 1968-9, pp. 39-40, under cat. 35, n. 5;
W. Schulz, Lambert Doomer 1624-1700, Leben und Werke, diss. Berlin 1972, pp. 49, 359, cat. 221;
idem, Lambert Doomer, Sämtliche Zeichnungen, Berlin 1974, pp. 21, 74, cat. 149;
Rembrandt and his Century, Dutch Drawings of the Seventeenth Century from the Collection of Frits Lugt, exh. cat., New York, Pierpont Morgan Library, and Paris, Institut Néerlandais 1977-8, pp. 49-50, under cat. 31, n. 5;
W. Sumowski, Drawings of the Rembrandt School, New York 1979, vol. II, pp. 916-7, no. 426

Hinged to mount at top. Two light diagonal creases, towards top, and lower centre. Lightly foxed throughout. Small thin spots top right and bottom left. Verso a little discoloured from old mounting down left edge. Otherwise good and strong. Sold in a modern wooden frame.
"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."

This is one of the most atmospheric and attractive of all Doomer's Dutch views.  Although he made numerous topographical drawings in France, Germany and even England, views of his native country are comparatively rare.  An Amsterdammer by birth, the artist lived in Alkmaar from 1669 until around 1695, during which time he produced many replicas of his own earlier drawings.  Of this composition, however, no earlier prototype is known.  Like the beautiful drawing that he made four years earlier outside the Friese Poort of Alkmaar,¹ this must be a drawing made directly from life.

As in many of Doomer's late drawings, the line work is here very loose, but the artist's remarkable mastery of composition and lighting is rarely seen to better effect, and the combination of the two is unusually harmonious.   

1.  Paris, Lugt Collection; See exh. cat., Groningen 2005-6, op. cit., cat. 26