Roelant Roghman

Possibly Albert Bentes and his wife, Catharina Baeck;
possibly by descent to Hillebrand Bentes, Amsterdam, 16 October 1708;
probably to Christiaan van Hoek (mentioned in the list by Rudolf Smids of 1711, and in Abraham de Haen's list made in his copy of Smids' Schatkamer der Nederlandse Outheden...; 'Giessen in Zuijd Holland');
possibly by descent to Anthonie van Hoek, from whom possibly acquired by Jean de Wolff;
Cornelis Ploos van Amstel;
his sale, Van der Schley, Amsterdam, 3 March 1800 ff., part of folder KK6 (all nine lots for Nlg. 2,000 to C.S. Roos);
possibly C. Josi;
sale, Amsterdam, 4 April 1818, lot C30 (together with C31 for f. 2,10 to de Vries);
possibly D. Vis Blokhuyzen;
sale, Rotterdam, 29 April 1872, lot 293;
C. Hofstede de Groot;
purchased in 1930 by a Dutch nobleman and thence by descent

H.W.M. van der Wyck, De kasteeltekeningen van Roelant Roghman, Alphen aan den Rijn, 1989-90, p. 46, no. 26 (not having been seen in the original by the author)

Window mounted with Japan paper. There is some very slight foxing and minor stains to the upper left quarter. Otherwise in predominantly good condition with the image strong.
"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."

Roghman's impressive series of 245 drawings of castles in Holland and Utrecht is considered his greatest achievement and is of enormous importance to the architectural and topographical history of the Netherlands. They are generally dated between 1646-47, but the purpose for which they were done has never been clarified.  They are the first such project, a reflection of the growth of interest in views as a valid artistic subject matter, and are the forerunner of similar projects undertaken by 18th century artists.  A few of the drawings are signed and many are inscribed, although usually by later collectors.  Only one contemporary print after the drawings is known, made by Roelant's sister Geertruyd.  First recorded in a list made in 1708, the provenance of the group is unclear. They seem to have stayed together until Ploos van Amstel's sale, at which time they were dispersed and now can be found in private and public collections around the world.

The Castle of Blootinge no longer exists.