Studio of Adam Frans van der Meulen

The French Army Crossing the Rhine at Lobith: The canvas appears to be unlined and in stable condition. The paint surface overall is good, with losses visible along the upper edge presumable due to wear from a previous frame. Two small repaired holes are faintly visible to the naked eye in the sky, upper left, 4 inches from the edge and center left, again 4 inches from the edge. There is a minor surface scratch, approximately 1 inch in length beneath the legs of the right most horse. Inspection under ultra violet light reveals an old repaired loss, approximately 1 by 1/2 inch, center to the left edge and another on the left edge 2 inches from the bottom. A clear reading is impaired by a milky varnish which may cover further old, minor retouching. The Siege of Belgrade: The canvas appears to be unlined and in stable condition. The paint surface overall is good, with a line of abrasion on along the upper and right edges, presumably from a previous frame. Inspection under ultra violet light, again impeded by a milky varnish, reveals a possible old repaired tear, running approximately 2 inches downward from the upper edge, right of center and another small repair upper right approximately 10 inches in from the edge. There is a small inpainted loss above the foliage lower right and in the tree upper left. Both are offered in carved, gilt wood frames.
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.

Adam Frans van der Meulen entered the service of Louis XIV in 1664, and he accompanied the French army on some of their most important campaigns.  The French invasion of the Dutch Republic occured on June 12, 1672, when, with an army of 120,000 men, the largest Europe had seen since the Roman Empire, Louis XIV marched into the Netherlands at the juncture of the Rhine at Lobith.  Here, Louis XIV is shown in the right foreground on his dappled grey directing his men with his sword.  The Dutch and French forces clash in the river below, while the tower of Lobith is seen on fire in the background.        

One of the works in this pair appears to be one of the numerous versions of The French Army of Louis XIV Crossing the Rhine at Lobith, June 12, 1672.  Versions of the battle by van der Meulen are in the Rijksmuseum (inv. no. SK-A-3753), the Musée des Beaux-Arts, Caen (inv. no. 54), and the Louvre, Paris (inv. no. 1490).  Perhaps the most obvious variation (among others) between the present composition and the aforementioned three is the artist's inclusion of two trees at the far right in the present composition, which are excluded in the pictures given in full to van der Meulen.