- 36
Maerten Ryckaert
Description
- Maerten Ryckaert
- An alpine landscape with an iron foundry and blast furnace
- oil on copper
Provenance
Thence by inheritance.
Condition
"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
The painting depicts the ‘Walloon’ method of iron production, named after the region of modern-day Belgium. The two stage method involves first the production of pig iron in a blast furnace followed by refinement in a finery forge. Devised in the 15th century, the method had spread Europe-wide by the early 17th century and was key in the international arms race in the 15th century for the production of both stronger weapons and stronger armour. Here we see a furnace with a wide, flat opening, perhaps six metres high, made of hewn stone and accessed at the top by a staircase affixed to the side.
We are grateful to Prof. Alexander Wied for endorsing the attribution to Marten Ryckaert on the basis of digital photographs.
1. A. Wied, Lucas und Marten van Valckenborch, Freren 1990, p. 141, cat. no. 23, reproduced.