Pieter van Loo

Possibly purchased by Baron Hendrick van Slingelandt (1702-1759), and in any case in the possession of the van Slingelandt family in the 18th century,
thence by descent to the present owners

Fixed to mount front with brown tape around all four sides. Remains of glue from previous mounting visible on reverse, down left edge. Exceptionally good and fresh condition. Sold in a modern frame.
"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."

Although there are numerous watercolours of single flowers by Pieter van Loo, few complete still life compositions like this one are known by him; only a small handful of comparable works by the artist have appeared at auction in the last quarter century.¹  Two further examples are in the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam,² but the present work certainly ranks amongst the finest, and best preserved, of all the artist's surviving watercolours. 

One of the reasons that this watercolour is in such exceptionally fine condition is that it appears to have been in the ownership of the same family ever since it was made.  It came into the posession of the current owners by direct descent from the Barons van Slingelandt, an illustrious Dutch family with splendid collections, which even included the Vermeer masterpiece, Lady Writing a Letter with her Maid, now in the National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin.  That picture was inherited in 1734 by Baron Hendrick van Slingelandt, the main collector in the family, but the next generation were also active connoisseurs, and may well have bought this splendid watercolour directly from the artist.  Other notable drawings with the same provenance include a superb sheet of studies by Jacques de Gheyn II, sold in 2003.³ 

1.  e.g. sales: New York, Sotheby's, 14 January 1992, lot 70; Amsterdam, Sotheby's, 15 November 1994, lot 55; Amsterdam, Sotheby's, 15 November 1995, lot 150
2.  Inv. RP-T-1905-255 & RP-T-1905-256 
3.  Amsterdam, Sotheby's, 4 November 2003, lot 27