- 166
Dirk Langendijk
Estimate
5,000 - 7,000 USD
bidding is closed
Description
- Dirk Langendijk
- Hungarian hussars attacking French diplomats outside Rastatt, 28 April 1799
- Pen and brown ink and gray wash;
signed and dated in brown ink, lower right: Dïrk Langendyk invt et fecit 1804
Provenance
The Earl of Southesk, Kinnaird Castle;
sale, London, Sotheby's, 25 November 1970, lot 101;
reputedly the Collection of Bertil Hinze, Helsingfors;
with Gebr. Douwes Fine Art, Amsterdam (inv. no. 519);
Private collection, The Netherlands
sale, London, Sotheby's, 25 November 1970, lot 101;
reputedly the Collection of Bertil Hinze, Helsingfors;
with Gebr. Douwes Fine Art, Amsterdam (inv. no. 519);
Private collection, The Netherlands
Condition
Hinge mounted. There is a narrow band of discoloration that runs around the edges of the sheet, most probably as a result of an old mount. Other than this the drawing is in fine condition with the medium fresh and vibrant throughout.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE 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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
Catalogue Note
It seems likely that the scene portrayed by Langendyck is that of an attack believed to have been carried out by a unit of Hungarian hussars on the carriage of the French diplomats Ange-Élisabeth-Louis-Antoine Bonnier d'Alco, Claude Roberjot and Jean Antoine Joseph Debry on 28 April 1799. The three diplomats had travelled to Rastatt to negotiate compensation for lands seized by France on the left bank of the Rhine, but after lengthy negotiations the Congress reached a stalemate and it was decided that the French diplomats should leave. Early on the morning of 28 April 1799 they were attacked by Hungarian hussars who were attempting to steal their papers. The ensuing fracas resulted in the deaths of both Bonnier and Roberjot, with Debry escaping severely wounded.
In the present work Langendijk shows the carriage in which Bonnier and Roberjot were travelling being held up, with the coachman slumped over in his seat and one of the diplomats being hauled out of the carriage while the other fires his pistol in self-defence. In the background another carriage, most probably carrying the wounded Debry, can be seen fleeing the scene with three hussars in pursuit.
Another drawing by Langendijk of the same episode, dated 1805, was on the art market in 2007, described as A stage coach held up by bandits.