After Henri Gascard

PHL

N. Japikse, 'Een afbeelding van het sluiten van den definitieven vrede tusschen Nederland en Portugal op 31 juli 1669', in Bijdragen voor Vaderlandsche Geschiedenis en Oudheidkunde, vol. VIII, part II 1940, pp. 1-8, reproduced;
N. Japikse, 'Korte mededelingen, Nogmaals de schilderij in het Koninklijk Huis-Archief', in op.cit., vol. VIII, part III 1942, pp. 115-8;
R. van Luttervelt, 'De Vrede van Nijmegen in Beeld', in Tijdschrift voor Geschiedenis, vol. 63, 1950, pp. 321-32, reproduced fig. 1;
G. Lemmens (ed.), De Vrede van Nijmegen, Nijmegen 1978, pp. 59- 64, reproduced p. 60.

The actual painting is a little less red in tone than the catalogue illustration suggests. The canvas has an old, slightly firm relining. No major damages are apparent. The paint layer is secure, if quite abraded in the darker areas and subsequent retouchings are visible with the naked eye in these areas. There is a small retouched tear visible in the upper left, some additional scattered crude retouchings are visible in the upper background, as well as some in the figures. However, mainly in the background figures, the foreground figures appear in good condition. The paint surface is under a very dirty and discoloured varnish layer, which impedes proper inspection under UV light. Offered in a plain black wood frame with a gilt fillet.
"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."

A 17th Century copy, with minor differences, after the original by Henri Gascard (1635-1701), in the Museum Het Valkhof, Nijmegen, representing the signing of the Peace Treaty between France and Spain on 17 September 1678.
Through existing portraits and an engraving from Actes et Memoires, which carefully lists the attendees, the sitters can be easily identified. Hieronymus van Beverningk (1614-1690) and Willem van Haren (1626-1708) were the Dutch negotiators and can be seen on either end of the table, Van Beverningk being the one with his back towards the viewer. To the right one sees Ambassador De los Balbases holding the feathered pen, leader of the Spanish delegates, and to the left is Godefroi comte d'Estrades, the most important figure on the French side.
label 2, inv. no. 129