Lot 142
  • 142

Ernestu Oct*** Active in the Netherlands, 1674

Estimate
25,000 - 35,000 GBP
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Description

  • A trompe l'œil still life of four birds of paradise and two kingfishers hanging from nails on a painted white wall
  • indistinctly signed and dated lower right: Ern[e]stu oct... fe. anno 1674
  • oil on panel

Provenance

With Rafael Valls, London, from whom acquired by the present owner.

Exhibited

Brussels, Palais des Beaux-Arts, La Nature Morte, 1929.

Condition

The panel has been cradled, and seems to be made up of two planks joined vertically. The join is 9 inches from the right margin, and there are some retouchings along it. In the left hand plank there are two hairline old splits that run from the bottom margin and are only around 3 inches long. There are no major damages visible to the naked eye, and the varnish appears patchy and marginally discoloured. Inspection under ultraviolet light confirms a patchy and opaque varnish, and reveals an early campaign of retouchings (only just visible) that are seemingly concentrated throughout the background. A more recent campaign consists of minor scattered retouchings scattered throughout, the main concentration of which is in the background top right, below the spider, and in the small red bird. Otherwise in good overall condition. This lot is offered in a plain wood frame 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."

Catalogue Note

The identity of the painter remains unknown, despite the signature. Certain earlier artists like Zacharius Wehme (1558–1606) executed works similar in composition, as can be seen, for example, in his watercolour of a bird of paradise in the Kupferstich-Kabinett, Dresden.The bird of paradise was a highly prized specimen among early modern collectors of exotica and naturalia. Considered a natural wonder, they were hard to come by and therefore costly; the Dutch embassy of 1613 to Constantinople purchased birds of paradise from Amsterdam merchants at 31 guilders a piece, to be given as gifts to the Sultan Ahmed I.2

1. 51.2 by 29.7 cm. Inv. no. C 1961-86. See Das Stilleben und sein Gegenstand, exhibition catalogue, Dresden 1983, cat. no. 178, reproduced fig. l.

2. C. Swan, 'Birds of paradise for the sultan', in De Zeventiende Eeuw, vol. 29, issue 1, 2013, p. 62.