Adriaen Cornelisz. van der Salm

In the possession of Saam and Lily Nijstad by 1956.

The stable, flat support consists of a single horizontal panel, bevelled on all sides. The signed surface of the penschilderij is clean, secure and in good condition, with the intricate detail of the work well-preserved. The work's painted border has become a little thin in parts, and there is a very small vertical surface scratch (approx 0.2cm.) lower centre. A small old restored area (approx 1.2cm. by 0.3cm.) is visible along the lower half of the right hand margin due to the discoloured retouchings to this area. There is another very small old restored damage (less than 1cm2) to the left of the sails of the far right hand vessel, and some minor strengthenings to the fishing boat lower left can be made out with the naked eye, but these are not obtrusive or obvious. Inspection under UV light is impeded by the varnish covering the work but does confirm the aforementioned retouchings and further reveals a handful of old retouchings and some infilling of the craquelure in the sky. Offered in a black painted and parcel gilt wood frame with a few minor knocks and some rubbing to the gilding, but in overall 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."

A very similar work by Salm, with only minor differences such as the omission of the creel lower right and the distant merchant vessel to the left, forms part of a set of twelve grisailles which belonged to D.G. van Beuningen in 1936.  It has been suggested that Salm used a form of printing method to reproduce elements of his grisailles in different works, but the larger dimensions of each of the Van Beuningen set (25 by 28 cm) makes this unlikely in this case.