Lot 193
  • 193

Ludolf Backhuysen

Estimate
30,000 - 50,000 GBP
bidding is closed

Description

  • Ludolf Backhuysen
  • A coastal landscape with many figures on the shore by a quay, with several two-deckers in a stiff breeze beyond
  • signed and dated lower left: L BAKH. 1705
  • oil on canvas

Provenance

Anonymous sale, New York, Christie's, 28 October 1988, lot 103;
Anonymous sale, New York, Christie's, 6 October 1994, lot 99;
Anonymous sale, London, Christie's, 24 April 1998, lot 15;
Anonymous sale, Copenhagen, Bruun Rasmussen, 23 May 1995, lot 62;
With Gebr. Douwes Fine Art, Amsterdam.

Condition

The canvas has a firm relining which is still sound. The painting is in good overall condition. Inspection under ultra violet light reveals a repaired 3cm tear upper centre and a series of repaired scrapes in the centre of the sky. There has been extensive and very careful retouching to the cracquelure pattern throughout the sky and to the water in the foreground. The face of the standing woman on the right has also been retouched. Offered in a modern ebonised wood frame in the Dutch style with ripple mouldings, in very 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."

Catalogue Note

This late work by Ludolf Backhuysen, possibly executed with studio help, combines many of the artist’s hallmark characteristics, such as his interest in the effect of the quickly changing elements upon the trim and leeway of the ships and the setting of their sails, his fascination with light and his acute observation of choppy water. From the 1690s the artist painted a number of marine subjects with genre scenes placed in the foreground of the composition.