Dutch School, 17th Century

Illegible traces of pink collector's stamp on lower right corner, verso;
Dr Pollak, Rome;
with Kurt Meissner, Zurich;
John and Alice Steiner,
by descent to the present owner

Cambridge, Mass, Fogg Art Museum; Williamstown, Mass, The Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute; Malibu, J. Paul Getty Museum, Renaissance and Baroque Drawings From the Collections of John and Alice Steiner, 1977-78, no. 55 (as Cornelis Saftleven)

Hinged to the mount at the upper margin and laid down on thin japan paper. There are a number of losses and repaired tears. Repaired tears are visible on the verso. There are a few brown stains, at the upper margin and also upper right located just behind the woman's back. Black chalk remains strong and vibrant and the damage to the sheet is mainly concentrated around her. Sold in a carved and gilded 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.

The previous attribution to Cornelis Saftleven cannot be sustained.  Another figure study, formerly attributed to Govert Flinck but possibly by the same unidentified hand as the present work, was in the van Regteren Altena collection (sold, Amsterdam, Christie's, 10 December 2014, lot 172).