Jacob de Wit

With Louis Meier, London, from whom purchased, circa 1956

Newcastle, 1960, no. 63, reproduced on front cover

Laid down on reasonably old backing sheet. Overall condition good.
"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 is the study, in reverse, for the engraved portrait of de Wit which was included in the second volume of Jacob van Gool's De Nieuwe Schouburg der Nederlantsche Kunstschilders (1751), for which the majority of the prints were executed by J. Houbraken.  In fact, although the ornamental elements surrounding the actual portrait are identical in the print and drawing, the portrait itself is not, and it seems Houbraken may have chosen to insert a different portrait into de Wit's surround.  Indeed, the legend engraved on the print credits the painting to J.M. Quinkhard ('J.M. Quinkhard pinx. 1751'), though it does also record that 'J. de Wit orn. del.' 

Another self-portrait in an oval, surrounded by attributes of the arts, very similar in concept to this but with different surrounding motifs, is in the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam (inv. RP-T-00-1144), and a further, signed self-portrait by de Wit, rectangular in format but otherwise very close to both these others, is in the same collection.¹

1.  A. Staring, Jacob de Wit, Amsterdam 1958, pl. 18