- 139
Jan van Call the Elder
Estimate
3,000 - 4,000 GBP
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Description
- Jan van Call the Elder
- View of the Harbour of Alexandria, Egypt
- Pen and brown ink and watercolour over black chalk, within a drawn circle, with black ink and gold framing lines
Provenance
Jonas Witsen (1733-1788);
sale, Amsterdam, Terwen/van der Schley et al., 16 August 1790 f.f., possibly Kunstboek E, part of lot 17 or 18, or part of Kunstboek G, lot 34;
possibly acquired at or after the sale by or on behalf of Cornelis Ploos van Amstel’s niece Anna Ploos van Amstel (1735-1805) and her husband Jan Stadlander (1731-1802),
by descent to their daughter Cornelia Margaretha (1766-1836) and her husband Gerrit Blaauw (1750-1825);
by descent, preserved in an 18th-Century portfolio, to the present owner
sale, Amsterdam, Terwen/van der Schley et al., 16 August 1790 f.f., possibly Kunstboek E, part of lot 17 or 18, or part of Kunstboek G, lot 34;
possibly acquired at or after the sale by or on behalf of Cornelis Ploos van Amstel’s niece Anna Ploos van Amstel (1735-1805) and her husband Jan Stadlander (1731-1802),
by descent to their daughter Cornelia Margaretha (1766-1836) and her husband Gerrit Blaauw (1750-1825);
by descent, preserved in an 18th-Century portfolio, to the present owner
Condition
Laid down. Some extremely light foxing towards the corners, but overall condition extremely 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."
"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 and the following lot belong to a substantial group of similarly refined and meticulously executed watercolour views of locations near and far, which van Call seems to have made between about 1672 and 1683, as a result of extensive travels to Germany, France, Italy, and apparently also the Middle East, accompanying the Nijmegen scholar Johannes Teyler. Some 300 of these drawings belonged to the famous Amsterdam collector Jonas Witsen, and following his sale in 1790, many came into the posession of the Blaauw family, where the present drawings have remained until now.
It is likely that Van Call made his topographical drawings with the intention of having them engraved, but these finished watercolours, which in some cases exist in both smaller and larger versions, or both rectangular and square, would appear to have been made as separate, finished works, for sale.
As an example of a 17th-century view of Egypt, almost certainly drawn on the basis of first-hand observation, this fine watercolour is a great rarity.