- 114
JACOB DE WIT | A design for an overdoor with two putti and a dog: An Allegory of Hunting
Estimate
3,500 - 4,500 USD
bidding is closed
Description
- Style of Jacob de Wit
- A design for an overdoor with two putti and a dog: An Allegory of Hunting
- Pen and black ink and brown wash, heightened with white, within two sets of black ink framing lines;signed in black ink, lower centre: Jdwit invtr. and bears numbering in brown ink, verso: No3/435 and the remains of an extensively cut inscription, possibly ending: 1745
- 96 by 162 mm; 3 1/2 by 6 3/8 in
Provenance
Sale, Amsterdam, Christie's, 11 November 1996, lot 177,
where acquired by the present owners
where acquired by the present owners
Condition
Hinge mounted in two places along the upper edge to a modern mount. There is some slight toning to the sheet and some small light brown stains to the lower centre and right edge. This work remains in otherwise very good condition throughout with the pen and ink still crisp and the overall image strong. Sold unframed.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
Catalogue Note
Though de Wit executed numerous projects of a religious nature, it is his Rococo portrayals of frolicking putti that make up a significant portion of his drawn oeuvre (see also lot 116). The present drawing is a particularly charming example of this subject matter, and must have been intended as a design for an overdoor, as indicated by the arched pen work at the base of the sheet. The putti, depicted scrambling around on their hands and knees whilst reaching for a bow and quiver of arrows, whilst flanked by a hound, must surely portray an allegorical interpretation of hunting and can be closely compared to a sheet depicting Putti playing with a mirror,1 sold in Amsterdam in 2002. We are grateful to Guus van de Hout who confirms that on stylistic grounds, the proposed reading of the date as 1745 is convincing.
1. Sale, Amsterdam, Sotheby's, 5 November 2002, lot 159
1. Sale, Amsterdam, Sotheby's, 5 November 2002, lot 159