Jan Josefsz. van Goyen

With Ehrhardt & Co., Berlin, 1929.

H.-U. Beck, Jan van Goyen, 1596-1656, vol. II, Amsterdam 1972, p. 472, cat. no. 1063 (where erroneously described as signed VG 1628);
H.-U. Beck, Jan van Goyen, Dorrnspijk 1987, vol. III, p. 266, cat. no. 1063, reproduced.

Painting is darker overall than it appears in catalogue image. panel is uncradled, flat and stable. under a slighty dirty varnish. the paint surface has been very well preserved and there is excellent retention of detail throughout. underdrawing is visible in some areas such as sky to right of center, a small area in sky near tree just to left of cottage, and some on roof at left side of cottage. ultraviolet light reveals just a few minor retouches scattered in sky. this painting is presentable as is and no further work is required. In a black ebonized wood frame.
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.

Dated 1628, this dune landscape by van Goyen is amongst the earliest of this type to come to market in a number of years. Van Goyen's production from this formative period marks a time when he, along with Esaias and Jan van de Velde, was making dramatic advances in the depiction of the Dutch landscape. Van Goyen's earliest dated landscape is a circular panel of 1620 (private collection, New York), and rectangular landscapes such as the present example are known from 1622 onwards.¹ This work amply demonstrates van Goyen's swift development as a landscapist, which features a markedly lower horizon line than his landscapes from only a couple of years prior. Equally advanced is the skill with which he links foreground and background, sending the viewers eye towards the distant background at right fluidly and without interruption.

A similarly handled dune landscape, dated 1625, also on panel and of similar dimensions was sold New York, Sotheby's, 27 January 2006, lot 239, for $144,000. Another comporable work, dated 1629, was formerly with Leonard Koetser (see Literature, Beck 1987, cat. no. 1080).

1. see Literature, Beck 1973, p. 53, cat. no. 99, reproduced.