Lot 286
  • 286

Abraham van Strij

Estimate
25,000 - 35,000 USD
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Description

  • Abraham van Strij
  • Merchant at his desk
  • signed A. Van Stry lower left
  • oil on panel

Condition

The painting is in lovely condition and is ready to hang in its present state. The panel is flat and stable, made up of a single board which is beveled on all four sides. A clear reading under UV is somewhat impeded by the varnish but from what one can see there appears to be very little retouching. There are very minor retouches to the upper right edge and otherwise minor cosmetic touches, for example to the outlines of the chest at left and the shadows of the coat on the chair at right. The painting requires no further work and is offered in an elaborately carved gilt 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.
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

The finely dressed subject of this painting is shown seated at a desk, reading. At his feet, plump sacks of coins rest next to an open lockbox. The money, as well as the oversized text this man holds, suggests that he is a merchant or banker studying his ledger.

A framed painting of cows in a landscape hangs on the back wall of this room. Using contemporary paintings in interiors is a common feature of van Strij's work. The composition seen here may be based on a lost painting by Cuyp or could be an imagined work by van Strij.1

An almost identical version of this painting (inv. no 711) is in the John G. Johnson Collection at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

1. Interestingly enough, van Strij painted a number of a Cuyp-like pastiches, such as the one in the National Gallery, London (NG no. 2547), A Herdsman with Seven Cows by a River, circa 1750-1800.