L12040

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Lot 89
  • 89

Nicolaes Pietersz. Berchem

Estimate
10,000 - 15,000 GBP
bidding is closed

Description

  • Nicolaes Pietersz. Berchem
  • mountainous landscape with herders and animals in the foreground
  • Black chalk and grey wash, with touches of oiled charcoal;
    bears signature in pen and brown ink: N. Berchem

Provenance

Earl Spencer (L.1530);
Herbert Girardet,
by descent to the present owner

Exhibited

Cologne, Wallraf-Richartz Museum, Sammlung Herbert Girardet, Holländische und Flämische Meister, 1970, no. 74, reproduced

Condition

There are two creases at the centre of the drawing - but it does seem to be one piece of paper. Lower part, left hand crease, backed with thin paper. Stain from old mount all around edges. Seem to be creases or losses at top edge. Some staining along both right and left edges.
"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."

Catalogue Note

This is an exceptionally large drawing, allowing for extensive panoramic effects.  The composition is unusual in being set so closely in the mountains, instead of a more open landscape.  A similar drawing of peasants and their animals by a mountain river, which is also heightened with oiled charcoal, is in the Boijmans van Beuningen Museum, and is datable circa 1664.1  Marian Bisanz-Prakken discusses a group of five large drawings of rocky landscapes, each circa 300 by 500 mm, which may have been intended to be engraved, but the present example does not seem to belong with them in spite of its size.2

1. Nicolaes Berchem, In the Light of Italy, exhib. cat., Haarlem, Frans Hals Museum, et al., 2006-7, no. D64, p. 109, reproduced; p. 150 

2. M. Bisanz-Prakken, Drawings from the Albertina, Landscape in the Age of Rembrandt, exhib. cat., New York, The Drawing Center, et al., 1995, p. 172, no. 82, reproduced