Esaias van de Velde

The circular panel is uncradled. Two small pieces of felt are affixed to the top and bottom of the panel to protect from rubbing of the frame. The surface is clean and the painting is presentable. The paint surface has been very well preserved and there is lovely retention of detail. Under UV light: there are tiny dots of retouching in the sky along the wood grain; other retouches can be seen along the extreme edges at upper left and upper right. These have been well applied and the painting can be hung as is. Offered in a faux ebony wood 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.

Turning away from the carefully structured and mannered approach of his predecessors, such as Gillis van Coninxloo and Adam Elsheimer, Van de Velde was among the earliest proponents of a more naturalistic approach to landscape in the Netherlands.  As such, he was an important influence on Jan van Goyen, one of his pupils, and the younger generation of landscape artists.   Van de Velde's subjects are ordinary scenes, set in landscapes or small towns, as here, and are presented with an utter lack of grandiosity. He paints them from a low vantage point, which creates a sense of immediacy for the viewer. In the present example, we see townspeople enjoying a day on the ice.  In front is a pair of men surveying a freshly chopped tree as a young boy in skates attentively listens on.   In the middle and foregrounds, skaters enjoy leisure activities with their family and pets.