Jacob van der Ulft

Sale, London, Christie's South Kensington, 12 December 2003, lot 523 (one of a pair)

Laid down. Attached with hinges to old mount. Some ligh foxing and surface dirt throughout, but generally good condition. Framed.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Despite an inscription on the title page of an album of 58 Italian views by Van der Ulft now in the Institut Néerlandais, Paris, noting that these drawings were made from life in 1674 or 1675, it seems that in reality Van der Ulft never went to Italy; the drawings are in fact based on others by Jan de Bisschop, to whose studio contents Van der Ulft appears to have had access after De Bisschop's death in 1671.  The fact that even De Bisschop probably never went to Italy makes the 'naar het leven' claim for Van der Ulft's Italian views even more far-fetched, but his drawings such as this are nonetheless extremely redolent of the light and atmosphere of Italy, and are fine examples of the powerful impact that the south had on the drawings of so many 17th-century Dutch artists.  See also lot 616.