- 199
Ludolf Backhuysen
Estimate
15,000 - 20,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- Ludolf Backhuysen
- An Amsterdam street scene, with a maid flirting with a knife grinder on a canal
- oil on canvas
Provenance
With Vermunt, Berlin (as Berckheyde);
With Kunsthandel St. Lucas, The Hague, 1942 (as Jacob Ochtervelt or Ludolf Backhuizen);
Anonymous sale, Amsterdam, Sotheby’s, 14 November 2006, lot 10 (as Ludolf Backhuizen), where acquired by the present owner.
With Kunsthandel St. Lucas, The Hague, 1942 (as Jacob Ochtervelt or Ludolf Backhuizen);
Anonymous sale, Amsterdam, Sotheby’s, 14 November 2006, lot 10 (as Ludolf Backhuizen), where acquired by the present owner.
Literature
B. Broos, R. Vorstman and W. van de Watering, Ludolf Backhuizen 1631–1708, schryfmeester – teyckenaer – schilder, exhibition catalogue, Amsterdam 1985, p. 115, under no. T 31.
Condition
The canvas has a recent relining, which has somewhat flattened the paint surface. The varnish is even and only slightly dulled. There is a patch of flaking, centre left in the column, measuring approximately 1 by 5cm., which has resulted in some very small losses. In overall reasonable condition. Inspection under ultraviolet light reveals a campaign of retouchings and strengthening throughout the sky, notably in the clouds above the carriage, and in the foliage of the tree, right, especially in the upper right corner. The figures in the foreground remain largely untouched, save for the apron and left cheek of the standing woman, centre. There has been some retouching to the bodies of the horses and the costume of the knife-seller, to reduce the appearance of craquelure.
Offered in a later plain, ebonised Dutch-style frame 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."
"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
Ben Broos (see Literature) connected this painting with a drawing, also formerly attributed to Berckheyde, in the Fondation Custodia, Paris (inv. no. 4367). Broos reattributed the drawing to Backhuysen on the basis of a signed drawing by him in the British Museum before identifying it as the probable preliminary study for this painting (see Broos, op. cit., p. 115, cat. no. T.31).