- 31
Philips Wouwerman
Estimate
80,000 - 120,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- Philips Wouwerman
- A lady and a gentleman on horseback being shown to an approaching ferry by a young page
- signed with monogram lower left: PHiLS W
- oil on panel, oval
Provenance
Anonymous sale, London, Sotheby's, 30 October 1985, lot 81 (as Pieter Wouwerman);
With Salomon Lilian, Amsterdam, 1996;
Private collection.
With Salomon Lilian, Amsterdam, 1996;
Private collection.
Literature
B. Schumacher, Philips Wouwerman, Doornspijk 2006, vol. I, p. 308, cat. no. A345, reproduced vol. II, fig. 316.
Condition
The following condition report is provided by Hamish Dewar who is an external specialist and not an empoyee of Sotheby's.
UNCONDITIONAL AND WITHOUT PREJUDICE
Structural Condition
The artist's oval panel, which has traces of paper labels on the reverse, is providing an even
and secure structural support.
Paint Surface
The paint surface has a slightly uneven varnish layer and the overall appearance would benefit
from surface cleaning and revarnishing.
Inspection under ultra-violet light shows faint traces of retouchings in the sky, particularly in the
darker pigments of the clouds and the small areas of blue sky between the clouds. There
would seem to be very few retouchings on the figures, horses or dogs. There may be other
retouchings which are not visible under ultra-violet light.
Summary
The painting would therefore appear to be in good and stable condition and would benefit
from just very light surface cleaning and revarnishing.
"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 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."
Catalogue Note
Schumacher dates this small copper to circa 1648. It recalls a number of similarly small-scale works on both panel and copper from around this time, often with just a single horse and figure in an otherwise unremarkable landscape.1 The intention was clearly to focus on the horse, in whose depiction Wouwerman was the undoubted master. Here the beautifully rendered grey stands obediently in attendance, awaiting instruction from his mount, while his companion looks on rather dejectedly, seemingly fatigued by the journey thus far.
1. See, for example, Schumacher, op. cit., vol. I, pp. 307-8, nos. A342 (dated by Schumacher circa 1646), and A344 (dated circa 1646), both reproduced vol. I, figs. 313 & 315 respectively.
1. See, for example, Schumacher, op. cit., vol. I, pp. 307-8, nos. A342 (dated by Schumacher circa 1646), and A344 (dated circa 1646), both reproduced vol. I, figs. 313 & 315 respectively.