Pieter Cornelisz van Egmondt

Collection v. Hallwil, Stockholm, 1923 (unrecorded in the catalogue of 1928);
Collection Sjöberg, Stockholm;
Anonymous sale, Stockholm, Auktionsverk, 27 November 2008, lot 2234;
Anonymous sale, Paris, Delorme - Collin du Bocage, 17 June 2009, lot 31, as signed with monogram (all of the above as by Jacob van Spreeuwen).

G. Sjöberg, in Konsthistorik Selsk. Publ., 1922, pp. 105-8;
B. Rapp, 'Iets over een onlangs ontdekt werk van Jacob van Spreeuwen', in Oud Holland, no. 62, vol. II, 1947, p. 73, reproduced;
L. Gowing, Vermeer, London 1952, p. 143, nt. 11;
E.F. van der Grinten, 'Le cachalot et le mannequin', in Nederlands Kunsthistorisch Jaarboek, vol. 13, 1962, p. 126;
H. van Hall, Portretten van Nederlandse beeldende kunstenaars, Amsterdam 1963, p. 312;
E.A. de Klerk, 'De Teecken-Const, een 17de eeuws Nederlands Traktaatje', in Oud Holland, vol. 96, 1982, p. 47, nt. 127;
H.-J. Raupp, Untersuchungen zu Künstlerbildnis und Künstlerdarstellung in den Niederlanden im 17. Jahrhundert, Hildesheim 1984, p. 349, reproduced p. 501, fig. 224;
E.J. Sluijter et. al., Leidse Fijnschilders. Van Gerrit Dou tot Frans van Mieris de Jonge 1630-1760, exhibition catalogue, Zwolle 1988, pp. 41, reproduced p. 60, fig. 31;
E. Griffey, 'The Artist's Stage: the schilderkamer as site of play in the 17th Century, in De zeventiende eeuw, vol. 15, 1999, p. 57, reproduced fig. 57 (all of the above as by Jacob van Spreeuwen);
K. Kleinert, Atelierdarstellungen in der niederländischen Genremalerei des 17. Jahrhunderts: realistisches Abbild oder glaubwürdiger Schein?, Petersberg 2006, pp. 222-3, no. 21 (as by Pieter Cornelisz. van Egmondt).

The actual painting is warmer and a little more brown in tone than the catalogue illustration suggests. The single panel is flat and stable and lightly bevelled to the reverse. The paint surface is under a very dirty and yellowed varnish layer. No damages are apparent. The paint surface is secure though fairly abraded in the green tones and in the darker areas. Inspection under UV light subsequently reveals retouchings in these areas, but further inspection is impeded by the dirty varnish layer. Offered in a later plain brown wood frame with moulded fillets in good condition.
"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."

We are grateful to Fred G. Meijer of the R.K.D., The Hague, for suggesting the attribution to Pieter Cornelisz. van Egmondt.