Dutch School, 17th Century

C.R. Rudolf, London,
his sale, Amsterdam, Sotheby Mak van Waay, 6 June 1977, lot 159, purchased by the present owner

Hinged to the mount at the upper margin. Light scattered foxing throughout the sheet. Medium remains fresh, colours still strong.
"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."

This accomplished sheet of tulip studies must have been executed from life, in the second quarter of the 17th century, around the time of the tulipomania.  Its assured handling and painterly quality, as well as its compositional originality, mark it out from the bulk of the tulip watercolours produced at this time and later in the century, most of which were copied from drawn prototypes.  Only a few of the leading flower painters of this period have left an identified corpus of drawings and watercolours, but others, for the example the various Bosschaerts, must also have made such works, which are still to be correctly attributed.