Roelant Roghman

Possibly Albert Bentes and his wife, Catharina Baeck;
possibly by descent to Hillebrand Bentes, Amsterdam, 16 October 1708;
sale, London, Christie's, 9 July 2007, lot 2002

Hinge mounted in two places to a modern mount. There is an old repair to the upper left corner and some minor surface dirt in places. Otherwise in fine condition with the medium fresh and vibrant throughout.
"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."

As the inscription on the verso indicates, this tower is the toll-gate at Geervliet, a small municipality in the province of South Holland, around fifteen kilometres west-south-west of Rotterdam.  Although it was little more than a small village, Geervliet was granted city status in 1381, and was therefore entitled to levy taxes - hence this toll-gate, one of four such gates of the old town.  This gate, which was to the north side of the town, was the last to be demolished, in 1850.  

Roghman made four drawings of the Hof van Putten at Geervliet as part of his famous series of 245 drawings of Dutch castles, executed in 1646-7.¹

1. H.W.M. van der Wyck, De kasteeltekeningen van Roelant Roghman, Alphen aan den Rijn, 1989-90, nos. 50-53