Adriaen Pietersz. van de Venne

Anonymous sale, Zurich, Koller, 13-14 May 1982, lot no. 5002;
Anonymous sale, Amsterdam, Sotheby's, 7 November 2000, lot 134;
David Koetser, 2002.

The following condition report has been provided by Simon Parkes of Simon Parkes Art Conservation, Inc. 502 East 74th St. New York, NY 212-734-3920, simonparkes@msn.com, an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. This work on oak panel has not been reinforced on the reverse. The paint layer is stable and the paint layer is flat. When viewed under ultraviolet light, one can see small and accurate retouches in the right leg of the figure, on the left side generally, and in a few other spots in the figure. The restoration is very well handled, and perhaps a fresh varnish is all that is required.
"This lot is offered for sale subject to Sotheby's Conditions of Business, which are available on request and printed in Sotheby's sale catalogues. The independent reports contained in this document are provided for prospective bidders' information only and without warranty by Sotheby's or the Seller."

The witty phrase on this panel translates in full as: What does one not do for money, said the peasant as he saw a monkey sitting on the window sill (Wat maakt men al om het geld, zei de boer en hij zag een aap op het venster zitten).¹  While the precise meaning is no longer known, this proverb seems to have been popular in the 17th century, and Van de Venne returned to the theme later in his career: in 1629 (Szépmüvészeti Múzeum, Budapest, inv. 1412) and in 1631 (Musée des Beaux-Arts, Lons-le-Saunier, inv. no. L80).

We are grateful to Edwin Buijsen (Mauritshuis/RKD) for confirming the attribution and for his assistance in preparing this entry. 

1. P.J. Harrebomé, Spreekwoordenboek der Nederlandsche Taal, vol. 1, Utrecht 1861, p. 223a.