Lot 125
  • 125

Ludolf Bakhuizen

Estimate
10,000 - 15,000 GBP
bidding is closed

Description

  • Ludolf Bakhuizen
  • Dutch ships off a coast, a ship firing a salute, and small boats in the foreground 
  • Point of the brush and brown wash over traces of pencil;
    bears old attribution in black chalk, verso: L Bakhuyzen
    and numbering in brown ink (partially obscured, possibly Valerius Röver): 23

Provenance

Possibly Valerius Röver (1686-1739), Delft (bears numbering, verso, similar to L.2984a-c)

Condition

Window mounted on a modern card backing. There are some very minor creases to the extremities where the drawing has been laid down and some small light brown stains to the upper left corner. The sheet has fractionally discoloured, however the medium remains predominantly fresh throughout this atmospheric work.
"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."

Catalogue Note

Bakhuizen was a master of atmosphere, and used a wide variety of techniques to achieve the visual effects that he desired.  Here, the artist has used broad flat areas of wash to create a scene of calm serenity.  Similar flat washes can be seen in, for example, his View of Emden, a signed and dated drawing of 1686, now in the, Ostfriesisches Landesmuseum in the artist's native town.1

1.  G. de Beer, Ludolf Backhuysen (1630-1708), Sein Leben und Werk, Zwolle 2002, p. 162, fig. 205, no. Z 33