Aert van der Neer

Private collection, England;
With Leonard Koetser, London, by 1969;
With Gallerie Müllenmeister, Solingen.

London, Leonard Koetser Gallery, Spring Exhibition of Fine Old Master Paintings, 17 May - 29 June 1974, no. 10 (as Van der Neer).

W. Schulz, Aert Van Der Neer, Ghent 2002, p. 399, cat. no. 1082 (as on canvas; a copy or imitation).

The panel is uncradled, flat and stable. The painting has recently been cleaned and restored and is in good overall condition. Ultra violet light reveals old and now faint old restoration, mostly in the form of minor retouchings to the foreground, central and upper clouds, and the houses along the canal on the left, and some more recent minor strengthenings, including a small repair in the upper sky. Offered with a modern stained wood frame in the Dutch style in good condition.
"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."

We are grateful to Professor Wolfgang Schulz who, on the basis of high-resolution images, has reviewed his earlier opinion and now accepts this painting as a fully autograph work by Aert van der Neer.

Another extended version of this composition is recorded as being with Galerie Fischer, Lucerne, in June 1961, measuring 30 by 47.5 cm and bearing the artist's monogram lower left. This work is listed by Wolfgang Schulz as no. 998. Further works of the same composition are listed by Wolfgang Schulz under his nos 843 and 957.  He now believes that all three are likely to be the same picture. In recent correspondence Dr Schulz wondered if the present work could be the left part of his nos. 843, 957 and 998, but the reverse of the oak panel retains its original bevels on all four sides and is most unlikely to have been cut down at any stage in its history.