Anthonie van Borssum

Watermark: Arms of Amsterdam. Window mounted. Small repaired tear, lower centre. One or two very light stains, bottom edge. A little surface dirt throughout, but general condition good and fresh.
"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."

Anthonie van Borssom's depictions of ducks, geese and other fowl resting, nesting or cavorting comprise some of his most distinctive drawings, and have few parallels in the work of his contemporaries.  Perhaps the most similar to this is another signed drawing of ducks on a riverbank, also beside a nesting basket, in the Rijksmuseum Kröller-Müller, Otterlo.¹  The fine drawing of Two Storks at a Reeded Shore, in the Lugt Collection, is also broadly similar in conception and handling.²  These rather finished drawings were probably in turn based on observations from life, recorded in much sketchier sheets such as those formerly in the Klaver Collection³, in a Dutch private collection⁴, and within a sketchbook now in the British Museum.⁵ 

1.  Inv. Kl. 2, 32; W. Sumowski, Drawings of the Rembrandt School, vol. 2, New York 1979, no. 330
2.  Inv. 4777; Sumowski, op. cit., no. 331
3.  Sold, Amsterdam, Sotheby's, 10 May 1994, lot 94
4.  Sumowski, op. cit., no. 362^x
5.  e.g. Sumowski, op. cit., no. 334