L11037

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Lot 230
  • 230

Willem van Aelst

Estimate
30,000 - 40,000 GBP
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Description

  • Willem van Aelst
  • A still life with peaches, raspberries and damsons on a partially covered marble ledge, a bird flying above
  • oil on oak panel

Provenance

Lt. Col. G. B. Bryant, OBE, MC;
Earl of Drogheda (according to an inscription on the reverse);
Anonymous sale ('The Property of a Gentleman'), London, Christie's, 27 June 1969, lot 92 (as Rachel Ruysch and as one of a pair, with the preceding lot).

Exhibited

Leamington Spa, Leamington Spa Art Gallery, Art Treasures of Warwickshire Exhibition, 29 May - 3 July 1948 (as Rachel Ruysch).

 

Condition

The support consists of a single uncradled panel, bevelled on all four edges. The painting is now dirty and the old varnish layer degraded and patchy. Inspection under ultra violet light is impeded by the old varnish but the paint surface appears to be in good overall condition. There has been some old minor careful retouching to many parts of the left hand side of the picture, such as the bird, the peaches and the end of the marble ledge in the foreground, but the more thickly painted blooms on the right appear very well preserved with only minor local strengthening of the shadows here. Many of the greens have turned slightly blue due to naturally fugitive yellow pigments. Offered with a later pierced gilt wood frame 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."

Catalogue Note

We are grateful to Drs. Fred G. Meijer of the Rijksbureau voor Kunsthistorische Documentatie for endorsing the attribution on the basis of photographs.