Dutch School, mid-17th Century

Anonymous sale, London, Christie's, 10 June 1994, lot 4 (as Attributed to Theodor Matham);
Anonymous sale, New York, Christie's, 29 January 1998, lot 83 (as Attributed to Theodor Matham);
There purchased by the present collector.

The following condition report has been provided by Simon Parkes of Simon Parkes Art Conservation, Inc. 502 East 74th St. New York, NY 212-734-3920, simonparkes@msn.com , an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. This painting has been recently restored. The canvas has a recent glue lining. The condition of the lower third of the painting is very good and the figures and architecture are all beautifully preserved. In the sky and water of the river the condition is understandably not quite as good and some abrasion has occurred here which has been diligently retouched. There are concentrations of this retouching in the upper left, in the large cloud in the upper center and in the upper right. However, the picture looks very well and should be hung as is.
"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."

This view of Paris from the Pointe de la Cité is based on an engraving by Stefano della Bella (Florence 1610-1664) dated 1646.  It depicts a view of the Seine with the 16^th century Hôtel de Nevers and the 13^th century Tour de Nesle, which had survived from the city walls of Philippe-Auguste, on the left.  Both were demolished later in the 17^th century to make way for the Collège des Quatre-Nations. On the right bank, the Tour de Bois, a vestige of the walls of Charles V, and the last remains of the medieval castle of the Louvre are shown flanking Henri IV's Grande Galerie du Louvre.  Both these older structures were demolished during the same period to make way for expansion of the newer Louvre.  The foreground depicts a lively scene with figures promenading along the Pont Neuf.  The bridge was built during the reign of Henri IV, who inaugurated it in 1607 and whose statue can be seen at center.

Della Bella's engraving was famous and numerous paintings based on it by Dutch artists are known including one by Peter Casteels II, in the Musée Carnavalet, Paris and another attributed to Pieter Wouwerman.¹

 

1.  Sale, London, Christie's, 8 December 1995, lot 361 (as Attributed to Pieter Bout) and now Attributed to Pieter Wouwerman by Marijke C. de Kinkelder of the Rijksbureau voor Kunsthistorische Documentatie, The Hague; their photo archive image no. 6526.