Joost Cornelisz. Droochsloot

Countess Josephine Annesley (1891–1977), New York;
By whose Estate sold, New York, Sotheby's, 13 January 1978, lot 91.

The panel is uncradled and made up of two horizontal planks, with a dirty yellowed varnish. Inspection under ultraviolet light reveals retouching along the join, and quite extensive retouchings to the clouds in the sky, to much of the ground in the village street, the trees on the left, and around the figures in the lower left corner, mostly to disguise where the paint has become slightly worn. The church steeple has also been restored. The majority of the figures seem reasonably well-preserved but some in the lower left corner and right foreground have been strengthened. There is an old 1 cm. square damage in the high street at the base of the church tower. In overall fair condition. Offered in a modern plain stain 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. 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."