Salomon van Ruysdael

With N. Beets Gallery, Amsterdam;
With F. Kleinberger Galleries, Paris, around 1930;
With Howard Young Gallery, New York, in 1932;
Mrs. H. M. Muirhead, London;
By whom sold, London, Sotheby's, 12 December 1973, lot 126, for £19,000, to King Street Galleries;
With David Koetser, Zurich;
From whom acquired by the late owners.

Parnassus, vol. 4, no. 6, November 1932, reproduced p. 13, as with the Howard Young Galleries;
J.W. Niemeyer, 'Het topografisch element in enkele riviergezichten van Salomon van Ruysdael nader beschouwd', in Oud Holland, vol. 74, 1959, p. 52, reproduced fig. 2; 
W. Stechow, Salomon van Ruysdael. Eine Einführung in seine Kunst mit kritischem Katalog der Gemälde, Berlin 1975, p. 130, cat. no. 395;
Die Weltkunst, 1 January 1976, reproduced p. 1297 (advertisement).

The panel is cradled. No major damages visible to the naked eye. The varnish appears clear and even. Inspection under ultra-violet light reveals scattered retouchings, sensitively executed throughout the sky. There are a few strengthenings in the cows and the ferry but otherwise in good condition with no major damages. Offered in a gilded plaster and wood 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."

Liesvelt or Liesveld castle stood on the south bank of the river Lek between Groot Ammers and Gelkenes. It was raised up in 1042, and in 1636 was acquired by Willem Fredrik van Nassau, Stadholder of Friesland. It was demolished long ago, although its moat survives, together with a surrounding hamlet bearing its name. Its appearance is perhaps best recorded in a finished drawing by Roelant Roghman in a private collection.¹

1.  See H.W.M. van der Wyck, De kasteeltekeningen van Roelant Roghman, Alphen aan den Rijn 1990, vol. I, p. 123, cat. no. 103, reproduced.