Andries van Eertvelt

Valterra, no 707 (according to a label on the reverse);
Private collection, Spain.

The canvas has been relined. The paint surface is in good condition, if a little dirty and under an uneven and slightly discoloured varnish. The pigments and detail of the background ships and sky have become somewhat abraded whereas the detail and colour of the foreground are better preserved. The paint surface along the lower margin is quite uneven and there are two minor spots of paint loss, but no major damages to the work are apparent. Two horizontal old restored tears in the sky to the right have become visible to the naked eye as their retouchings have become discoloured. Inspection under UV light is greatly impeded by the aforementioned varnish, but does confirm these retouchings and further reveals fairly extensive old retouchings along the lower margin, to the central ship's back sail and the sky. The majority of the ships and figures appear to remain original. Offered in a gilt wood frame in fairly good condition, with some losses.
"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 Gerlinde de Beer for identifying this imposing marine battle as the work of Andries van Eertvelt, on the basis of a digital photograph. The signature seems to have been altered from the original AV (in ligature) to an RV and, as he often did, the artist has only included the first few letters of his surname. The present work's presence in Spain is not unusual since, as Dr de Beer has pointed out, many of Eertvelt's works were sent to Spain by dealers both during his lifetime and shortly afterwards.